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mmn. 



SKETCHES 



HISTORY 



CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 



EMORY F. WARREN 



t JAMESTOWN, N. Y. 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED EY 

J. WARREN FLETCHER. 

1846. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, by 

J. WARREN FLETCHER, 

HI the Clark's Office of the Northern District of 

New-York, in the year 1846. 






PREFACE. 



The Compiler intends to use the privilege of wri- 
ting a Preface, for the purpose of making personal 
explanations to his readers, (if he shall succeed in 
obtaining' any,) of some matters relating to the fol- 
lowing pages, which seem to require them. 

The work was undertaken at the solicitation and 

risk of llle Publiohcr -, and the Compiler expeCtS nei- 
ther fame nor emolument from its publication. It 
has been prepared under many disadvantages, which 
have materially detracted from its completeness. 

During the greater part of the time employed upor 
it, the Compiler was engaged in the duties of a labo- 
rious profession, and the subject was prosecuted only 
at intervals, as his other avocations would permit. 
Had he set about it with nothing else in hand, he- 
flatters himself that it would have approached much 
nearer to what such a work should have been, than he 
has been able to make it. 



PREFACE. 



The materials of which it is composed, have been 
derived from various sources; some from the written 
testimony of others; some from the personal relation- 
of individuals; and some from the researches and 
investigations of the Compiler. It is not pretended 
that the statements embodied in it, are accurate ir> 
every particular; but the most he can hope on that 
subject is, that they are an approximation to the 
truth. It contains at least, the best evidences of the 
facts attempted to be given, which were within his 
reach. Neither is it pretended that it embraces all 
the incidents connected with the History of Chautau- 
que County, deserving- a place iii a work of this char- 
acter. It does however contain all that have come 
under his observation, which he deemed of particular 
importance. Had he been able to devote more time 
to the subject, and made more frequent personal ap- 
plication to early settlers, for facts remaining only in 
the store-house of memory, he does not doubt that he 
might have enriched these pages, by many additional 
incidents of peculiar value. 

The work however, imperfect as it is, may serve as 
the basis of a more elaborate performance, which 
more competent hands may hereafter execute. 



PRFFACBS 



The only attempt hitherto made, to embody in a. 
written form, any facts in relation to the early history 
of this County, was made by Samuel A. Brown, Esq., 
in a series of Lectures, delivered at the Jamestown 
Academy, in 1843, and which, on their publication in 
the newspapers of the County, excited public atten- 
tion, and were extensively circulated and read. To 
these sketches by Mr. Brown, the Compiler is largely 
indebted for many valuable facts which they contain. 
He is also under particular obligations to Abner Ha- 
zeltine, Henry C. Frisbee, and Phineas Palmiter, 
Esqrs., for the essential service they have afforded in 
contributing facts, for the purpose of rendering these 
sketches more perfect than they otherwise could 
have been made. 

From the desultory manner in which the labors of 
the Compiler have been performed, it will not be 
strange if repetitions have occurred, which a more 
methodical pursuit of the'subject might have avoided. 
If any such shall be found, the courteous reader will 
attribute them to the proper cause. 

Early in March, of the present year, and before the 
body of the work was printed, the Compiler had 
changed his business, and place of residence, and 



Xn PREFACE. 

could not therefore correct the sheets as they came 
from the press. For these reasons, some typograph- 
ical errors have occurred, which, by a personal in- 
spection of the matter, as it was printed, might have 
been avoided. The errors however, are generally of 
such a character, as v/ill be readily detected, by per- 
sons at all familiar with the facts in connection with 
which they have occurred; and can mislead such only 
as are but slightly acquainted with them. One 
of the most glaring, will be found on page 48, in the 
entire change of the name of Anselm Potter, Esq.; 

and also 'on page 50, where the same name again 
occurs. 

Another may be found on page 59, in the name of 
Mr. Bovee, who was killed in the battle at Black 
Rock. Another of a somewhat different character' 
and attributable entirely to the Compiler, will be 
found on page S3, in which Charles Carroll is de- 
scribed as a "citizen of Virginia," while it is well 
known to every iritelligent reader that he was a citi- 
zen of Maryland. 

There are doubtless other errors of a similar char- 
acter, which are too apparent to mislead, and will be 
readily corrected by the reader. 



PREFACE. Xllf 



The work, imperfect as it is, goes forth to the 
world with the wishes of the Compiler, that it may be 
useful as a book of reference for the facts embodied 
n it; and may serve in some slight degree, as a con- 
tribution to the local History of the country, not en- 
tirely valueless to the general reader, or to the citizens 
of the County of Chautauque. 

E. F. W- 

Stockton, April 1, 1846. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
OF 

CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 



* 
* 



^iO 



HISTORY 
OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 



ORIGIN OF THE NAME LOCATION BOUNDARIES AND 

EXTENT SURFACE SOIIi PRODUCTIONS CHAU- 
TAUQUE LAKE STREAMS, 

The origin of the name of this County is involved 
in some obscurity. One authority derives it from a 
corruption of the Indian word Ois-ha-ta-'kay which 
signifies ' foggy place,' and was applied to the coun- 
try around the head of Chautauqne Lake, which was 
said to be noted for the prevalence of its fogs. Another 
derives it from the words, Chau-tau-qua^ in the same 
dialect, which signify ' a pack tied in the middle,' 
from the resemblance which the Lake bears to that 
object. 

By reference to a map it will be observed to present 
the appearance cf two lakes joined together by a 
narrow neck or strait. 

A 



18 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Location. Boundaries. Extent of the County. 

Whatever may have been the origin of the name, 
which is singularly euphonic, the beautiful sheet of 
water which lies within its borders and forms one of 
the distinguishing characteristics in its natural sce- 
nery, has given a name to the County, sketches of 
the history of which are attempted in the following 
pages. 

Chautauque is the south-western County in the 
State of New-York, and is bounded north-westerly 
by Lake Erie, East by the County of Cattaraugus, 
and a email part of Erie County, from which it is 
separated by the Cattaraugus Creek, south by the 
42nd parallel cf north latitude which forms the south- 
ern boundary of the State of New-York, and sepa- 
rates this County from the County of Warren in the 
State of Pennsylvania, and on the West by Erie 
County in the latter State. 

Its greatest length from North to South is about 
40 miles, and its breadth on the Pennsylvania line 36 
miles. Its north-western border for upwards of 40 
miles, is washed by the waters of Lake Erie, and in- 
cludes several harbors, which with suitable improve- 
ments may be rendered sufficiently capacious and safe 
for the largest class of vessels usually employed in 
navigating the great Western Lakes. 

It is situated on the elevated ground commonly 
denominated the ' ridge,' which separates the waters 
which fall into Lake Erie from those which flow south 



OF CnAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 19 

Soil. Productions. Chautauque Lake. 

into the Gulf of Mexico. This ridge varies from 3 
to 6 miles in its distance from Lake Erie, and is ele- 
vated from 600 to 1400 feet above it. The general 
surface is hilly, though not mountainous ; and the 
most elevated portions are susceptible of a high state 
of cultivation. There is very little land within its 
borders, which can be called waste land or that is not 
adapted to some kinds of tillage. The soil along the 
shore of Lake Erie, extending from 1 to 4 miles in 
width, and along the principle water courses, more 
especially those running in a southern direction, is a 
rich alluvion, originally covered with a stupendous 
growth of the different species of timber indigenous 
to it, and in a state of cultivation, is productive of all 
the varieties of grain, fruit and vegetables adapted to 
the climate, in great abundance. 

The upland portions are less fitted to produce the 
small grains, but the coarser kinds and grasses, flour- 
ish plentifully. There is probably no section of the 
State better adapted to the growing of stock and 
wool, and the productions of the dairy. 

This County contains within its limits, a sheet of 
water, which gives it a name, that will vie with those 
60 justly celebrated for their beauty, in other portions 
of the State, if not in the world, for the natural rich- 
ness of its scenery. The Chautauque Lake is 18 
miles in length and from 1 to 5 miles broad, stretch- 
ing from north-east to south-east, through the cen- 



20 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Chautauque Lake. Streams. 

tral portion of the County. It is elevated 726 feet 
above the waters of Lake Erie, and 1291 above those 
of the Atlantic Ocean ; and is the highest body of 
water upon the globe navigated by steam. 

The land on its borders, with some unimportant 
exceptions, rises graduallj- from the waters' edge, is 
arable in its whole extent, and susceptible of being 
improved and beautified in an eminent degree. It 
abounds with the finest fish, which are readily taken 
at all seasons. 

Its bottom, for the most part is covered with coarse 
gravel, which renders its waters pure and as transpa- 
rent as crystal. It has no Etreams of any consider- 
able magnitude, falling into it, but is fed mainly 
from springs under and around its margin. 

There are several str^cams cf some importance, 
within the County, navigable in the Spring and Au- 
tumn, and many of which serve as highways, either 
to Lake Erie, or to the Allegany and Ohio Rivers. 
The Connewango creek rices in the north-eastern 
section of the County, flews through nearly its entire 
eastern portion and unites with the Allegany River 
at Warren in the State of Pennsylvania. 

Its principal tributary is the Casadaga creek, which 
takes its rise in a small lake, or ecries cf lakes, o 
the same name, each of about a mile in extent, near 
thS summit cf the 'ridge,' at the difctance of about 6 
miles from Lake Erie. These small lakes, three in 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 21 

* Streams Continned ^^^ 

number, lie easterly from Chautauque Lake, and dis- 
charge their waters in the same direction, and re- 
ceive those of the latter about 8 miles from its south- 
ern termination. The Casadaga creek also receives 
the waters of Bear Lake, a small body of water of 
some 300 acres in extent, situated about two miles 
westerly of the Casadaga Lakes. French creek also 
rises in the County, and passes out at its south-west- 
ern border into Erie County Pennsylvania, and unites 
with the Allegany River at Franklin. Big and Little 
Brokenstraw Creeks, also take their rise in the south- 
ern section of the County, and flow in a southerly 
direction into the Allegany River. Several of these 
streams are navigable to a greater or less extent 
within the limits of the County, and all furnish water 
power for manufacturing purposes, at various points, 
according to their several capacities. 

The Cattaraugus creek, which forms a small por- 
tion of the north-east3rn boundary, is a heavy stream 
and navigable for some distance from its mouth. It 
falls into Lake Erie, and possesses advantages in a 
commercial point of view, as a harbor for vessels 
navigating the lake. Silver and Walnut creeks take 
their rise in the high lands of the ridge, as do all the 
streams discharging their waters into Lake Erie, and 
unite a short distance from the Lake, and enter it at 
Silver Creek harbor, about 3 miles from the mouth of 
Cattaraugus creek. Canadaway and Chautauque 



22 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Streams Continued. 



creeks, also flow into Lake Erie, the former a short 
distance above Dunkirk Harbor, and the latter above 
the harbor at Barcelona. 

They are short but rapid streams and with the most 
of the others that have been named, and many others 
of less note, furnish abundance of water at most sea- 
sons of the year, for hydraulic purposes. 

Twenty mile creek, also rises in the Western sec- 
tion of the County, and passes into Erie county 
Pennsylvania, and thence into Lake EriCc. 



OF CHAUTAUQ,UE COUNTY. 23 



CHAPTER IL 

MINERALOGY — INFLAMMABLE GAS — SULPiroR SPRINGS 
SHELL MARL STONE CLAY. 

There are Mineral Springs at various points in 
this County, many of which are deserving particular 
notice. 

Of these, several emitting inflammable gas are 
found in and near the village of Fredonia, at Van 
Buren Harbor, in the town of Sheridan and at Barce- 
lona. These springs furnish the most interesting 
exhibitions of the kind, that can be found in the State 
of New-York. Those at, and in the immediate vi- 
cinity of Fredonia, are of deserved celebrity, and 
have attracted much attention for many years. 

They have their origin in the strata of elate, which 
form the bed of Canadaway creek on which the village 
stands. The gas is evolved through fissures in the 
rocks, and bubbles of the gas may be seen in various 
places, rising through the water. 

When collected in a proper vessel, it burns with a 
white flame, and emits no offensive odor. Its strong 
illuminating powers, and the abundant supply, sug- 
gested its use in lighting the village. By sinking a 
shaft to the depth of something more than 20 feet, 
and inserting a tube, the gas is conducted to a gas- 
ometer, and thence to different parts of the village 
for use. When lighted with this material, the public 



94 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Inflammable Gas^ Sulphur Springs. 

houses, stores and offices present a novel appearance, 
the brilliancy of which cannot be equalled. 

At Van Buren harbor on Lake Erie, 4 miles from 
Fredonia, bubbles of the same gas may be seen rising 
through the waters cf the Lake, a rod or two from 
the shore. 

The same may be seen on the shores of the Lake, 
3 miles easterly of Barcelona. The light house, at 
the latter place is illuminated with this substance, 
It has also been discovered in the town of Sheridan, 
6 1-2 miles east of Fredonia, also on one of the branch- 
es of Canadaway creek, 4 miles south east of that 
village. 

Sulphur Springs are of frequent occurrence, and 
have some connexion apparently with the inflamma- 
ble gas, for which the County is celebrated. These 
Springs are found in the same sections of the County 
and often in the same vicinity with those emitting 
gas. Some are more strongly impregnated with the 
sulphur than others, and have often been resorted to 
for their medicinal qualities. 

Bog ore has been found in several localities, but 
not in sufficient quantities for practical purposes. 

Shell marl is found in abundance in the immediate 
vicinity of Casadaga Lake, and has been prepared and 
used to a considerable extent for building purposes 
as a substitute for lime. Alum and Copperas are 
said to be spontaneously formed in the town of Sher- 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 25 

Minerals. Stone. Clay, 

idan, though in quantities quite too diminutive for use. 

Quarries of sand stone of an excellent quality for 
building materials have been discovered in different 
sections ; these in the towns of Harmony and Car- 
roll have been resorted to for many years. 

Stone of other kmds are also found, which are ex- 
tensively used in the construction of buildings. Ma- 
terials for brick are found in almost every part of the 
County ; in some, clay for the coarser kinds of pottery. 



26 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER III. 

HOLLAND COMPANY ORIGIN OF THEIR TITLE — ITS 

HISTORY. 

The land titles of the state of New-York, known 
as the Holland Purchase, which includes the County 
of Chautauque, may be said to be derived from a 
Patent, granted by James I. King of England, to the 
Plymouth company in the year 1620. 

The territory included in this patent, extended from 
the 40th to the 48th degrees of north latitude, and 
from the Atlantic westwardly to the Pacific ocean. 

The settlement at . Plymouth Rock, to which we 
recur with true New England pride, and which fur- 
nishes a theme for the Orator and Poet when they 
would awaken our veneration for the heroism and 
eelf-sacrificing devotion of our Puritan ancestors, 
was commenced uiidcr this grant. 

The dominion of the Plymouth company was in- 
terrupted on the west by tlie Dutch, who had ob- 
tained a footing and claimed in opposition to the for- 
mer, until 1664, when they ceded iheir lands to «he 
English crown. In ihat year Charles II. granted the 
New Netherlands to the Duke of York, which from 
thenceforth took the name of New York. This 
grant included the territory, which was afterwards 
known as the 'Holland Purchase.' 



OF CHAUTAUqUE CODJfTY. 2T 

History of Land Titles. 

Massachusetts, by virtue of the grant to the Plym- 
outh Company, still claimed title as against New- 
York, and the result was a prolonged controversy 
respecting the rival claims, which was not finally 
compromised until after the Revolution. Massachu- 
setts presented her claims to the Congress under the 
confederation, and New- York was cited to appear and 
controvert the claims of her rival and make good her 
own. 

Commissioners were appointed on the part of both 
States, and their negotiations resulted in a comprom- 
ise of all the difficulties between them : and a con- 
vention was concluded in 1786, at Hartford, by which 
Massachusetts ceded lo New-York, 'the government 
sovereignty, and jurisdiciion' of the lerritory in dis- 
pute, and New- York ceded to Massachasetis, ihe right 
of pre-empticn of the soil from the Indians. 

It would appear from the history of the origin, 
progress and adjustment cf these different claims that 
the title to the lands, which are at present comprised 
within the limits cf the county of Chautauque, was 
never vested in the State of New -York. 

In March 1791, the State of Massachusetts, through 
a committee of her Legislature, specially appointed 
for that purpose, co' tracted to convey all the lands 
comprised within the Holland Purchase, excepting 
one undivided sixtieth part, to Samuel Ogden, who 
thereupon immediately assigned th6 interest which 



08 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

History of Land Titles. 



he had acquired under the contract, to Robert Morris, 
of the cit]i- cf Philadelphia. In May of the same year 
the commiftee conveyed to Mr. Morris all the inter- 
est of the State of Massachusetts, in the lands con- 
tracted to Mr. Ogden, and the acts of ihe committee 
were approved and ratified by the Legislature, in the 
month of Jimt following. 

In 1793 Wilhem Williuk and others, who were af- 
terwards known as the 'Holland Land Company,' 
purchased cf Rcbert Morris the lands before mention- 
ed, and in July cf that year, the latter executed a 
ocnvevance cf the same to Herman Leroy, John 
Lincklean acd Gerrit Boon, in trust for the use of the 
persons who had made the purchase, they being for- 
eigners, resident in the kingdom of Holland, and in- 
capable by law of acquiring the title to lands in ihie 
State. 

The Legiskture of this State in 1796 passed an act 
making it lawful for the trustees to whom the lands 
had been conveyed, to hold them for the use of the 
persons who had made the purchase of Morris. 

The trustees v.ere required to execute declarations 
stating particularly the lands so held, for the purpose 
of identifying th?m, and to prevent their setting up 
a claim to a larger territor}- than had been purchased. 
The lands were to become forfeited to the State, un- 
less the aliens, for whose benefit the law was enact- 
-ed. should within seven years, become citizens of the 



OF cHAUTArquE courrrr. 29* 

History of Land T:il-?s. 



United States, or should within that time make con- 
veyance to persons who were already citizens. 

Subsequent acts were passed in 1797 and 179S, 
extending the privilege of aliens, in respect to their 
rights to hold and convey lands, ani in some meas- 
ure removed the disabilities under which they had 
formerly labored. 

In July 1798 Leroy, Lincklaeu and Boon conveyed 
the lands included in the Holland Purchase, to Paul 
Busti of Philadelphia, an alien. The design of this 
conveyance, undoubtedly was merely to change the 
title of the trust estate to the hands of Busti, who 
was general agent of the proprietors in Holland. 

Immediately after, Busti conveyed to Leroy and 
four others, trustees for the owners, Willink and 
others, and in December of the same year, these last 
mentioned trustees, conveyed the lands which had so 
often changed hands for no ostensible purpose, to 
Wilhem Willink, Nicholas Van Straphorst, Peter 
Van Eeghen, Hendrick Vollenhovcu andRutgen Jan 
Schimmelpinninck, the five originai Dutch trustees 
of the vrhole tract and who were afterwards known 
as the Holland Land ComTieny. 

This Company caused sur\-eys of their lands to be 
made into Ranges, Townships and Lots, and opened 
their £rst office for making sales at Batavia, in 1801. 

The present County of Chautauque, was surveyed 
in 1800, and laid into townships, and these we^re- 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



Extent of Holland Purchase. 



afterwards subdivided into lots. The townships were 
eix miles square, and contained each 64 lots. Six 
ranges of townships, numbering from the Pennsyl- 
vania line to Lake Erie, are included within its limits. 

There are 27 entire townships, and six fractions, 
formed by the irregular boundary, the shore of Lake 
Erie, on the northwesL 

The lands of the Holland company lying within 
this state, were bounded on the south by the Penn- 
sylvania line, and included about two fifths of the 
present counties of Allegany, the greater part of Wy- 
oming. Genesee, and Orleans, and the whole of Ni- 
agara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauque, with the 
exception of several small reservations, to some of 
which, the Indian title is not yet extinguished. 

In 1819. an act was passed by the Legisla-ure, con- 
firming the conveyances that had been made, of the 
lands known as the Holland Purchase, and author- 
izing the persons then holding the titles, to convey 
to other aliens, in the same maimer as to citizens. — 
Subsequent to the passage of this act, and at difierent 
times, several conveyances of portions of the Holland 
Company's lands, were, made to difierent persons, 
though all foreigners, and who still, notwithstaning 
these changes, continued to be designated as the Hol- 
land Company. 

In 1838 John Jacob Van Derkemp, under a power 
of attorney, executed by the persons then composing 



OF chautacque county. 31 

Acta confirming Titles. Present owners. 

the Holland Company, conveyed the unsold landa 
within this county, to John Duer, Morris Robinson, 
and William H. Seward, in whom the title still re- 
mains, excepting to such parts as have since beea 
sold and conveyed to settlers. 



S2 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER IV. 

STATE OF THE COUNTRY WHEN FIRST EXPLORED IN- 
DIAN SETTLEMENTS REMAINS OF ANCIENT INHABI- 
TANTS EVIDENCES OF THEIR CONDITION. 

The territory west of Seneca Lake, now the fair- 
est portion of Western New York, before and during 
the Revolutionary war, was an unbroken wilderness, 
the abode of Indian tribes belonging to the Six Na- 
tions. When the first white man. Col. James Ma- 
han, now an inhabitant of the village of Westfield, 
passed through this country in 1795, with a view 
to a residence, there was a small settlement of Indi- 
ans on the Conewango creek, in the present town of 
Carroll, on the farm now occupied by Judge Prender- 
gast. This, it is believed, was the only Indian set- 
tlement within our present limits — at least it is the 
only one of which we have any authentic account. 
There were other tracts of small extent, which bore 
marks of cultivation, and which had been occupied as 
planting grounds at more remote periods. 

According to traditions derived from the Indians, 
their ancestors had used them f6"r* purposes of tillage, 
but at what time is left entirely to conjecture. The 
forest trees which have since overgrown them, fur- 
nish us with no satisfactory answer to the inquiry. 
The cultivation, of which these are only faint traces, 
nearly obliterated by the hand of time, was evidently 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 33 

Early state of the Country. Remains of Ancient Inhabitants. 

resorted to, merely for the purposes of subsistence ; 
as evidences of tillage for other purposes, either in 
the traces which are left, or in the character of the 
people who drew them, are wholly wanting. 

The question has often been asked, what was the 
origin and design of the various evidences of a more 
advanced state of civilization, which are plainly dis- 
cernible at numerous points ; but of which the abo- 
riginal inhabitants at the period of the earliest settle- 
ment by the whites, could give no account ? Many 
of these remains are more ancient than the forests 
themselves, which for centuries have overshadowed 
them ; but we have neither history nor tradition to 
which to recur, to solve the impenetrable mystery 
which hangs over the subject. We have fortifica- 
tions evincive of a degree of judgment and military 
skill, which would do no discredit to the tactics of 
more modern days — mounds, for what purposes con- 
structed are entirely unknown, in which human bones, 
many of them of almost gigantic size, have reposed in 
unbroken stillness for ages ; and pits of circular forms 
and various sizes, bearing marks of use by fire, but 
for what purpose digged or used, is as much a subject 
of conjecture, as the origin and destiny of the people 
by whom they were fashioned. 

Various implements of industry and of death, such 
as earthern ware, hatchets of stone and arrow heads 
of flint, have ben found, which indicate the existencee 



34 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Their Condition. 



of a race of men, to whom the peaceful arts were not 
entirely unknown, but practised in some rude forms 
and who resented injuries and avenged their wrongs, 
by means of the weapons usually employed by uncul- 
tivated nations for such purposes. But the questions 
who were they, what was their origin and whence 
are they departed, return upon us unanswered. 



OF CriAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 35 



CHAPTER V. 

OCCUPATION IN 1782 BY THE BRITISH AND INDIANS— »» 

TRACES OF THEIR LABORS FIRST PURCHASER OF 

LANDS FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT BIRTH 

OF A CHILD GEN. PAINe'S ROAD SURROUNDING 

INHABITANTS. 

In 1782, a party consisting of about 800 British and 
Indians, with a train of artillery and other munitions 
of war, spent the months of June and July around 
Chautauqua Lake, in constructing canoes, and other 
preparations to navigate the Allegany River, in a 
contemplated attack upon Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg. 
During a season of unusual drouth and consequent 
low water for hydraulic purposes, in 1822, the citizens 
of Jamestown and its vicinity in order to supply the 
deficiency by producing a greater flow of water from 
the Chautauque Lake, made an attempt to deepen 
the outlet at the upper end of the village. During 
the operation of removing the gravel from the chan- 
nel, they found it obstructed by a row of piles from 
3 to 4 inches in diameter and from 3 to 5 feet in 
length, driven firmly into the earth across the bed of 
the stream. For what purposes and by whom this 
eflPort to ' improve the navigation ' was undertaken, 
then and for a long time subsequently, continued to 
be a mystery ; but the circumstance above related, 
furnishes at least a probable solution of the matter^ 



36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Navigation. First purchase of Lands Improvement. 

It will scarcely be doubted, that in order to float the 

heavy burdens of this hostile party to their destina- 
tion, a greater depth of water was required, than the 
natural flow of the stream afforded, to attain which, 
these obstructions were placed in its channel. 

The first purchase of lands for the purposes of set- 
tlement within the present limits of this County, was 
made by Geno John McMahan in 1801, of the present 
town orf Ripley, at $2,50 per acre, on a credit of ten 
years. About 4000 acres of the present town of 
Westfield was purchased soon afterwards, by CoL 
James McMahan, whoso name we have before had 
occasion to mention. 

The first attempt to subdue the dense forest, that 
every where covered the surface, was made in 1802, 
by the last named individual, near where the village 
of Westfield is now located. On this spot ten acres 
were cleared, and the first dwelling of the white man 
erected. Edward McHenry, settled on an adjoining 
tract during the same year. These were the first 
locations of proprietors within the County, with the 
intention of making it a permanent residence. 

It should be mentioned however, that for nearly 
four years previously to 1800, Am.os Settle had resi- 
ded near Cattaraugus creek in the present town of 
Hanover. After which he was absent for several 
je^j and finally returned and became a permanent 
citizen. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 37 

JSirth of a Child; Gen. Paine's Road." 

Two or three other persons came into the county 
and located near the same spot at about the same pe- 
riod. 

John McHenry, who was born in the summer of 
of 3 802, it is believed was the first child of white 
parents, born within the present limits of the County. 
An incident of this kind, which ordinarily excites but 
little interest, beyond the family circle, to which it 
adds a member, was a subject of notoriety, of suffi- 
cient importance, at this period of the history of this 
County, to claim a passing notice in this connection. 

During the same year, Gen. Paine, who was in the 
-employ of the State of Connecticut, opened a waggon 
road from Buffalo to Chautauque Creek, to enable em- 
igrants to reach the tract of country since known as 
the '• Western Reserve," which the State of Con- 
necticut then owned within the limits of Ohio. The 
settlers afterwards continued this road to the Penn- 
sylvania line. 

At this period, the settlements over the western 
country, which now teems with an active and intel- 
ligent population, and is dotted with cities and vil- 
lages in token of the rapid advancement it has made, 
were very sparce, and could hardly be said to have 
any intercourse with each other. To the people of 
zhis county, Buffalo on the east, Erie on the west, 
rand a few scattering families in Warren county, Pa. 
comprised the surrounding inhabitants. 



38 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER VI. 

DEATH OF m'hENRY SETTLEMENT AT FREDONIA AT 

MAYviLLE — Kennedy's mills — hardships of 

EARLY SETTLERS — INSTANCES PRICES. 

In 1803, an accident of a painful characte roccurred^ 
which suddenly deprived a rising family of a protec- 
tor and the infant colony of one of its founders. 

Edward McHenry and two others, started for Erie, 
in a boat, from the mouth of Chautauque Creek, for 
♦ the purpose of obtaining- a supply of provisions. 
They encountered a storm on Lake Erie, which upset 
their frail bark, and McHenry found a watery grave. 
His companions were saved by clinging to the bottom 
of the boat. 

This incident was doubly afilicting in this instance; 
as the scene of it .was in a wilderness country, remote 
from any considerable settlements whence succor 
could be derived, or sympathy imparted to the dis- 
tressed family. 

In 1804, a settlement was commenced by David 
Eason and others, on the Canadaway creek, near the 
present village of Fredonia. Dr. Mclntyre also lo- 
cated near the head of Chautauque Lake, at the vil- 
lage of Mayville. He adopted the Botanic system 
of practice, and claimed to have derived his skill in- 
the healing art from his intercourse with the Indians 
among whom he had resided for many years,. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 39 

Kennedy's Mills. Hardships of Settlers. 

Dr. Kennedy from Meadville in Pennsylvania, 
erected a saw mill on the Connewango creek, at the 
place still known as Kennedy's Mills. 

This, it is said, was the first structure of the kind 
erected in the County. This too, Was the germ of 
the first settlement in the section of the County 
south of the Ridge. 

The early settlement of a new country, covered 
with a heavy forest, as in this instance, is always 
fraught with hardships and privations, of which those 
who follow the hardy pioneers know but little. What 
added to the burdens of early settlement here, was 
the remoteness of the location from any other con- 
siderably advanced, from which the inhabitants could 
derive assistance in times of scarcity, or obtain sudR 
indispensable articles as they were not able to produce. 

One of the authorities which has been consulted, 
and to which the compiler is indebted for many of the 
facts connected with the early history of this County, 
contains the narrative of an incident, which, however 
strange it may appear at this remote period, shows 
how toilsome was the work of settlement, and how 
slow its progress. 

In 1804, John Frew, Esq. now of Carroll, with 
Thomas and John Russell, undertook a journey from 
near Pine Grove, in the State of Pennsylvania, to 
Chautauque Lake, to procure a supply of salt. Their 
team consisted of two pairs of oxen and their carriage 



40 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Hardships of Settlers. Incidents. 

a sled. They opened a road from the State line to 
the Lake, near the mouth of Goose Creek, in Har- 
mony, and obtained three barrels of salt, for which 
they paid seventy-jive dollars in cash ! 

They carried with them such scanty means of sub- 
sistence as the country afforded, and were compelled 
to sleep in the open air upon the ground. At that 
period an axe was worth ^25 in cash, which sum was 
often paid for an article of the kind. It was indis- 
pensable to the pioneer. Without it he could do noth- 
ing. His track through the wilderness was marked 
with it, and his road opened. His first efforts at 
building were made with it, and the food for his cattle 
furnished from the tops of the forest trees, which his 
sturdy arm felled for that purpose. 

Other means of subsistence were oftentimes as 
scarce and obtained with even more toil and expense. 
Some of the early settlers, it is said upon good au- 
thority, were compelled to travel through an unbro- 
ken wilderness, guided for the most part by marked 
trees, to Franklin, at the mouth of French Creek, on 
the Allegany River, in Pennsylvania, a distance of 
seventy miles for a supply of flour for their families, 
for which they paid at the rate of $30 per barrel. 
And when obtained, each man would carry upon his 
shoulders about 70 pounds of the dear bought article, 
and retrace his steps to his home and anxious and 
perhaps suffering family. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 41 

Means of Subsistence. Privations. 

After the settlers began to raise grain, as there were 
no mills for grinding within reach, they prepared it 
for food by pounding, with a hominy block, a rude 
structure, though an advancement in the art of build- 
ing and machinery, equal to many other methods to 
which they were compelled to resort. 

It was not uncommon for whole families to subsist 
for days and even weeks, upon such food as the chase 
would supply, not tasting a morsel of bread, or other 
provisions, which later periods and more advanced 
culture furnish. But with these privations, came ap- 
petite, and health, and enjoyment, without any of the 
diseases incident to the indulgences in the luxuries 
of more modern times. 



mSTORICAl. SKETCHES 



CHAPTER MI. 

TOW>* OF CHAUTArqUE EN'CORPORATED FIRST >nLLS 

ERECTED ELUCOTT SETTLED ELECTIO". 

Previous to 1804, the whole of the present County 
of Chautauque, formed a part of the town of Batavia 
in the county of Genessee. The elections were held 
at the village of Batavia, a distance of nearly 100 
miles, to which the electors were compelled to go to 
vote. During this year the town of Chautauque was 
incorporated, and embraced the entire territon- now 
Included within the limits of the County. 

A grist and saw mill were built by Gen. McMahan 
on the Chautauque Creek, near Barcelona, the former 
of which, was the first structure of the kind erected 
in the County. 

Previous to this time, the mills nearest to the peo- 
ple of this County, at which grinding could be ob- 
tained, were at Erie in Pennsylvania, and Black Rock 
on the Niagara River below Bufialo. 

In 1S05, a Mr. Dickinson erected a saw mill at 
Silver Creek, to which he attached a mortar, and a 
hammer or pestle for the purpose of pounding com 
for food. A Mr. Moore erected a grist mill at Forest- 
ville at about the same period. Flour then commanded 
from 812 to §15 and Pork from 818 to S30 per barrel, 
prices to which we should most unwillingly submit 
at the present time. 



OF CHArTAUqUE COU>TT. 



Town Meetings. Justices of the Peace. Setilenaents. 

In April of the succeding year, the first town meet- 
ing iu the newly incorporated to^^Ti of Chautauque 
was held, at which John McMahan was elected to the 
office of Supervisor, and James Montgomery to that 
of town Clerk. The oath of office,, was administered 
to the first officers in the new town, by a Justice of 
the Peace who resided beyond Buffalo, in the present 
county of Erie. 

Justices of the Peace wete then commissioned by 
the council of appointment at the seat of government, 
and the persons first selected to fill that office for the 
new town, were John McMahan, David Eason and 
Ferry G. Ellsworth. 

In 1806, Mr. William Willson settled on the Chau- 
tauque Outlet, in the eastern part of the present 
town of Eilicott, and was the first inhabitant located 
within the limits of that town. At about the same 
time, Joseph Akin, commenced a settlement in the 
present town of CarroU : Messrs. Griffith, Bemus, and 
Barnhart, on the eastern shore of Chautauque Lake, 
at points, which are still familiarly known by the 
names of those who first located at them : and John 
Mack at the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek. 

From this period, owing to the high reputation 
which the tract of country now embraced within the 
limits of this County, had acquired for salubrity of 
climate, and fertility of soil, emigrants from the east- 
ern portions of this State and New England, crowded 



44 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Mills. """ First General Election. 

hitherto in Buch numbers, as very soon to divest it of 
the character of a wilderness, to a considerable ex- 
tent ; and renders it impossible, in this connection, 
except in general terms, to note their advent. 

A grist and saw mill were erected on the Canada- 
way creek in the present village of Fredonia, then, 
and for some time afterwards known as Canadaway. 

The first general election held in the town of Chau- 
tauque was in 1807, at ^ich 69 votes were polled 
for Governor. Of these Daniel D. Tompkins, re- 
ceived 41 and Morgan Lewis 28. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. -SS 



CHAPTER VIIL 

TOWN OF POMFRET ERECTED — ^ LIMITS OF THE COUNTY 

J&EFINED — STORES -^ WORKS' MILLS LUMBER 

TRADE — INTERCOURSE WITH PITTSBURGH. 

In March 1808, the town of Chautauque was divided 
and that of Pomfret erected. The 10th and lltli 
ranges of townships, from the Pennsylvania line to 
Lake Erie, and the 5th and 6th townships in the 12th 
range, including the present towns of Carroll, Polan d, 
Ellington, Cherry Creek, Villenova, Hanover, Sheri- 
dan, Pomfret, Arkwright, Charlotte, Gerry, EUicott 
and a part of Busti, were embraced in the new town 
of Pomfret. Philo Orton was elected the first Su- 
pervisor. 

At the same period, the limits of the County were 
defined, and the name given to it, which it still bears. 
The population did not then entitle it to be fully or- 
ganised as a separate County, and it was therefore 
continued as a part of Genessee until 1811, when it 
took its place as the youngest, as it was the remotest 
from the State capital, and the feeblest, member of 
the family of counties in the State of New York. 
Its organization was completed, by the appointment 
of County officers by the proper authorities. 

A store was opened at Canadaway by Gen. Risley, 
nnd another on the Cattaraugus Creek, at the present 



46 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Work's Mills. ^^ Lumber Trade^^ 

village of Irving in 1 SOS. These were the first at- 
tempts made at selling goods in the County. 

The first appropriation of the large water power 
of the Chautauque Lake, was made by Edward Work, 
Esq. on the outlet near his present residence, at 
which place he erected a saw mill. This was the 
second structure of the kind upon the waters of this 
County, connected with the immense pine forests, 
which flow southward into the Allegany River. 

The manufacture and transportation of Lumber to 
market, by means of these water courses, attracted 
attention at an early period, and have constituted a 
principal occupation of a large portion of the popu- 
lation residing upon them to the present time. Lum- 
ber then brought about S7 per thousand feet in Pitts- 
burgh, beyond which it was seldom taken. 

Public attention was early directed to the naviga- 
tion of the Allegany River and the streams flowing 
into it from this County, for other purposes than the 
transportation of Lumber. A considerable trade was 
carried on between the inhabitants and Pittsburgh, 
through the Chautauque Lake and outlet, the Conne- 
wango creek and the Allegany River, by means of 
Durham boats and log canoes, which were the only 
vessels adapted to the ascent of the rapid current of 
these streams. Flour, pork, iron, nails, castings, 
glass and whiskey, formed the chief articles of this 
traffic. 



OP CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 47 



CHAPTER IX. 

EXTE>'T OF GEXESSEE COUNTY — CATTARAUGUS AND 
CHAUTAUqUE ORGANIZED NIAGARA FIRST REG- 
ULAR PHYSICTAN LAND OFFICE FIRST ATTOR- 
NEY — CENSUS. 

Hitherto the county of Genessee included ihe coun- 
ties now embraced in Genessee, "Wyoming, Cattarau- 
gus, Chautauque, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, and a part 
of Allegany. The public business for this county, 
so extensive in its limits, was transacted at Batavia 
the county seat. 

An act was passed in March 1808, erecting the 
counties of Niagara, Chautauque and Cattaraugus and 
defining their boundaries. The former included the 
present counties of Niagara and Erie ; the others were 
defined by their present boundaries. The act provid- 
ed that Cattaraugus and Chautauque should be organ- 
ized with, and act as a part of Niagara, until they 
should respectively contain 500 taxable inhabitants. 
The numbers were to be ascertained by the board of 
Supervisors from the assessment rolls of the several 
towns ; and when the Supervisors should certify un- 
der their hands and seals, to the governor of the state, 
the facts upon which their separate action depended, 
they were to be fully organized. 



48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Public Buildings. Land Office. 

The Governor was authorized to appoint commie - 
Bioners to fix upon a site for county buildings within 
a year from the passage of the act. 

The supervisors of the counties of Cattaraugus and 
Chautauque at their first meeting, were required to di- 
rect the collection of a tax, not exceeding $1500 in 
amount, for the purpose of erecting a court house and 
jail in each, and to contract for, and procure them to 
be built. 

The county seat for Chautauque was fixed at May- 
ville, that of Cattaraugus at Ellicottville, and at New 
AmBterdam, now Buffalo, for Niagara. The Holland 
Land company were required to erect county build- 
ings at the latter place, at their own expense, and 
convey them with a parcel of land on which they wero 
situated, in quantity not less than half an acre, for the 
use of the county. 

Squire White of Fredonia, was the first regularly li- 
censed physician who located in this county. He set- 
tled there in 1809, where he has since continued to 
reside, and has been extensively and favorably known 
as a skillful practitioner in his profession. 

The land ofiice was established at Mayville the 
succeeding year, and William Peacock appointed 
agent for the Holland company. 

Anselm Potter established himself at Mayvills in 
1810, and was the first lawyer who settled in the 
county. 



or CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 49 

Census. Condition. 

The census was taken this year under the authori- 
ty of the United States, and the population found to 
be 2381. But little more than eight years had elaps- 
ed, since the first white inhabitant had located with- 
in the limits of the county. The change that had 
marked the features of the county during this period, 
were probably as striking at that time, as at any sub- 
sequent period of equal duration. The sense of sol- 
itude, which pressed upon the minds of the pioneers, 
had in a great measure been removed, and the evi- 
dences of industry and cultivation were on all hands 
obliterating the traces of savage life, and lifting the 
gloom which had hung over it since creation. 
c 



50 raSTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHL\PTER X. 

APPOr?fTME>'TS or COUNTY OFFICERS — FIRST COUNTY 
COURT TANNERY ELLICOTT. GERRY ANT) HAN- 
OVER ERECTED BOARD OF SUPER^^SORS THEIR 

PROCEEDINGS 21ST CONGRESSIONAI. DISTRICT. 

Up to this period, Chautauque had no separate ex- 
istence as a county, and had no voice in the legisla- 
tion of the state. Previous to 1808. it had constitu- 
ted a portion of Grenessee : and from that time to 1811 
it had acted with Xia^ra, as we have before had oc- 
casion to observe. 

In 1811, its organization was completed, and coun- 
ty officers duly appointed and commissioned. Zattu 
Gushing was appointed first Judge, and Matthew 
Prendergast, Philo Orton, Jonathan Thompson, and 
William Alexander, associate judges. David Eason 
was appointed Sheriff and John C. Marshall, county 
clerk. 

The first court of Common Pleas was held at May- 
Tille, on the 25th day of June 1811. 

There were at this time three practising attorneys 
who were residents of the county. They were 
Messrs. Patten and Brackett of Mayville. and Jacob 
Houghton of Canadaway. Daniel G. Gamsey and 
Casper Rouse were licensed to practice at the first 
term of the court, and afterwards resided, and pursued 
the practice of their profession in the county. J. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE CODWTT. S?l 

Ellicott, Gerry and Hanover Incorporated. 

& M. Prendergast opened the first store at Mayville 
during the same year ; and Gen. Leverett Barker es- 
tablished a tannery at Canadaway, which was the 
commencement of the manufacture of leather within 
the limits of this county. 

In June 1812, the towns of Ellicott, Gerry and 
Hanover were incorporated, and at the ensuing town 
elections made choice of officers and were fully or- 
ganized^ J^mes Prendergast was the first supervisor 
and Ebenezer Davis the first town clerk of Ellicott. 
That town then included within its limits, the pres- 
ent towns of Carroll, Ellicott, and Poland, and a part 
of Busti, being the 1st and 2d townships in the 10th 
and llth ranges according to the Holland Company's 
survey. 

The town of Gerry included the present towns of 
Gerry, Ellington, Charlotte and Cherry Creek, and 
embraced the same extent of territory, and laid im- 
mediately north of Ellicott. Maj. Samuel Sinclear 
was the first supervisor. Hanover included town- 
ships 5 and 6 of the llth Range according to the Hol- 
land company's survey, and which are now embraced 
in the towns of Villenova, Hanover, and parts of Ark- 
wright and Sheridan. Joseph Brownell was the first 
supervisor. 

The Board of Supervisors, at their annual meeting 
in 1812, and previous to the election of officers in the 
new towns of Ellicott, Gerry and Hanover, consisted 



52 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors. 

of but two members, representing the towns of Ch au- 
tauqiie and Pomfret. Besides the transaction of the 
ordinary business of the board, it became necessary 
in executing the provisions of the law of 1808, to 
which allusion has already been made, to raise the 
sum of ^1500 by tax for the purpose of erecting a 
court house and jail for the new county. The site 
for these buildings had been fixed at Mayville in the 
town of Chautauque, and the supervisor from that 
town was in favor" of levying the necessary tax. — 
Strong effort had been made to procure the designa- 
tion of Canadawa}^, as the site for the county build- 
ings, and the people of the northern and most popu- 
lous part of Pomfret, in consequence of the failure, 
entertained no very friendly inclinations towards the 
construction of these buildings on the rival site. The 
Pomfret supervisor, representing the feelings and . 
wishes of his immediate constituents, was opposed to- 
levying the tax, and a majnily could not therefore be 
obtained in its favor. 

The hopes of the rising county, seemed for a time 
prostrated, by the want of unanimity in the board of 
supervisors to execute the law. After repeated ef- 
forts to effect the subject, but without success, the 
question was temporarily laid aside, for the transac- 
tion of the other business of the board. Among their 
other duties, was that of auditing the accounts of 
town officers ; and when the Pomfret supervisor pre- 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 53 

21st Congressional District Formed. 

sonted his papers for that purpose, the Chautauque 
supervisor would not concur ; and as unanimity was 
equally necessary in this instance, as in raising a 
tax for county buildings, and a majority of votes could 
not be obtained for either, matters at once came to a 
dead stand. After gravely deliberating upon this 
unpropitious state of public affairs, it became appar- 
ent that no progress could be made, without some 
compromise upon the question of raising money. — 
This was finally effected, and the money for county 
buildings voted to be raised, and the town accounts 
audited. 

At the session of the Legislature in 1812 the State 
was divided into districts for the election of represen- 
tatives in the congress of the United States, upon the 
basis of the census of 1810. By the apportionment 
fixed by Congress, this State become entitled to 27 
members. The counties of Ontario, Allegany, Gen- 
essee, Niagara, Cattara ugus and Chautauque com- 
posed the twenty -first district, and were entitled to 
.elect two members. 



54 raSTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XT. 

PORTLAND ERECTED LATE WAR PERRT^S VICTORY 

INCURSION OF THE BRITISH AT DUNKIRK SERVI- 
CES OF THE MILITIA AT BUFFALO THEIR LOSS — 

BRITISH REPELLED FROSI CANADA WAY CREEK. 

In 1813 the town of Portland was erected. It was- 
taken from Cbautauque, and at its first organization 
embraced the territory now included in the towns of 
Westfield, Portland and Ripley. 

During the last war with Great Britain, the people 
of this county were on numerous occasions, subject- 
ed to the alarms, which in times of public danger,, 
extend more frequently to frontier settlements, and: 
shared honorably in the hardsMps and sufferings in- 
cident to their situation^. 

Although from their position, they were, in an un- 
usual degree, obnoxious to the disquietudes and a- 
larms, which an unsettled and warlike state of public 
affairs would be likely to occasion, yet they partook 
largely of the satisfaction, which intelligence of the- 
success of the American arms, in many a well fought 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 



Perry's Victory. Incursions of the British. 



battle, in the field and on the waters, produced. The 
general joy, which the brilliant victory, gained by the 
gallant Perry and his fleet, over the British squadron 
on Lake Erie, on the 10th of September, 1813, while 
it was shared in common by the people of the whole 
union, was hailed with unmixed delight by the inhab- 
itants of this county. Aside from its achievement 
upon the waters adjoining their territory, which serv- 
ed to render them more alive to its importance, the 
superior force engaged against the American fleet, 
and the decided character of the engagement, were 
circumstances which invested the intelligence with 
peculiar value. As the results of this victory, they 
saw the way opened, not only for retrieving the loss- 
es which the country had sustained by the vicissi- 
tudes of war in other quarters, but for future success- 
es on the western frontier, and their consequent ex- 
emption from danger, in which they felt a deep per- 
sonal interest. 

Several incursions were made by the British at dif- 
ferent points in this county, doing however but little 
else than alarm the inhabitants, lose their men by de- 
sertion, and meet with a warm reception by the set- 
tlers. Chadwick's Bay, now Dunkirk, was visited by 
a British armed vessel of 10 or 12 guns, for the pur- 
pose of landing some property that had been plunder- 
ed from Lay's tavern, long known as a house of en- 
tertainment near the lake shore, between Cattarau- 



56 mSTORICAl SKETCHES 

Incident at Dunkirk- Miliiia Called Oat. 

gus Creek and Buffalo. A boat maimed for the pur- 
pose, and carrying a flag of truce, was sent ashore to 
effect the object of their visit. Directly upon land- 
ing, twelve of the boat's crew, relishing British gold, 
with the restraints and dangers of a warfare against 
freedom, less than their prospects of success in a 
country which offered them in exchange, the novel- 
tiea of a fertile soil and salubrious climate, with a de- 
gree of personal liberty to which they were wholly 
unaccustomed, bade their commander adieu, and 
"quit the sen-ice." The officer in charge of the ex- 
pedition was left with a single sailor, a Frenchman, 
to aid his return to his vessel. While they were 
parleying with the citizens resident at the place, the 
neighboring militia, whom a notice of the arrival had 
attracted to the spot, not observing the flag of truce, 
but having their attention principally directed to the 
red coats of the officer and his remaining sailor, fired 
upon them, and broke the leg of the latter. This ab- 
rupt salutation terminated the interview, and the of- 
ficer failing to obtain assistance from the people to 
row his boat back to the vessel, picked up his maim- 
ed Frenchman, and made the best of his way on 
board. 

The militia of this county were called out in De- 
cember of this year, by Gov. Tompkins to repel a con- 
templated attack by the British upon Buffalo. They 
constituted the 162d Regiment, and numbered about 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. Sl 

Affair at Black Rock. Chauiauq-je Forces. 

400 effective men, about 200 of whom responded to 
the call of the commander in chief. There were four 
companies under the command of Col. John McMa- 
han and Majors William Prendergast and Barnes. — 
They were ordered to rendezvous at Buffalo, and on 
their arrival at that place, were quartered in log huts 
a little to the eastward of the village. The militia 
force assembled at that point, including those from 
this county, amounted to about 2000 men, under the 
command of Gen. Hall. The British force, detailed 
for the attack upon Buffalo, consisted of about 1500 
regulars, and 400 Indians under Gen. Riall. 

On the night of the 30th December, between 11 
and 12 o'clock, the American camp was alarmed by 
receipt of intelligence, that the enemy were crossing 
Niagara river at Black Rock. A portion of the mili- 
tia from the counties of Niagara, Genesee and Onta- 
rio, was immediately marched down to oppose their 
landing. The main body of the British had effected 
a landing at the mouth of Conjockity Creek, a mile or 
more below the ferr}-. Efforts were made to prevent 
their progress, though with but partial success. The 
militia who had proceeded to the ground, not in a body, 
but in detached parties, were easily routed, by the 
disciplined troops of the enemy, and driven back, aa 
fast as they arrived at the scene of action. 

The skirmishing between the hostile forces, con- 
tinued during the greater part of the night, the firing 



58 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Affair at Black Rock. Engagement. 

of which, was distinctly heard at Buffalo, where the 
Chautauqua regiment had remained, under arms, para- 
ded in front of Pomeroy's tavern, as a reserve. About 
4 o'clock on the morning of the 31st, Col. McMahan's 
regiment were marched to Black Rock, posted oppo- 
site the ferry, in the rear of the battery that had been 
erected at that point. Soon after day-light, six or 
seven boats, containing each fifty or sixty men, were 
eeen to put off from the Canadian shore, with the 
evident intention of effecting a landing. A firing 
was kept up by the battery at the ferry, and was re- 
turned from the opposite shore. One of the enemy's 
boats was struck by a cannon shot from the American 
side, and sunk with its hostile freight. About the 
break of day the Chautauque regiment was ordered to 
advance in the direction of the enemy. They proceed- 
ed down the river, nearly half a mile, and met them 
in force, near the residence of Gen. Porter. A sharp, 
though unequal contest ensued, when the militia broke 
and fled, as those who had preceded them had done. 
During the engagement a part of the British force 
had passed up under the bank of the river, and taken 
post in the road leading from Buffalo to the ferry, with 
a view of cutting off the militia in their retreat. Es- 
cape by the avenue through which they had arrived, 
being thus prevented, and pressed as they were, by 
the advance of the enemy, they were compelled to 
take to the woods in the rear of the ferry for safety, 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 59 

The Retreat. Buffalo Burned. Killed. 



through which many of the American force, includ- 
ing a portion of the Chautauque regiment, fled pre- 
cipitately ; and such of them as escaped the rifle and 
tomahawk of the savages, who immediatel y filled the 
woods in pursuit, reached the main road at Bufialo 
and at various points for several miles to the eastward 
in the direction of Batavia. The largest portion of 
the whole force returned to their homes, among whom 
were the principal part of the Chautauque Militia.— 
The remainder, who had survived, were afterwards 
quartered for several weeks, at Miller's tavern, about 
two miles to the east of Buffala. Towards noon of 
the 31st, the British set fire to Buffalo, and finally re- 
crossed the river to Canada, the second or third day 
after that event. 

The loss to this county was severe in proportion to 
the numbers engaged. James Brackett, a lawyer 
from the village of Mayville, was killed and scalped 
by the Indians, during the retreat from Black Rock. 
Joseph Frank, from Busti, William Smiley, from El- 
lery, Messrs. Pease and Lewis, from Pomfret, Nash 
Bover, and Hubbard, from Hanover, with severai oth- 
ers, shared the same fate. Maj. Prendergast had 
several balls shot through his hat and clothes, and 
-narrowly escaped with his life. Capt. Silsby was 
severely wounded, and Lieut. Forbes had one killed 
and five wounded, of the twenty-one men under his 
command. Of the killed, the bodies of those which' 



•60 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Killed and Wounded. . Burial. 



were found, were buried in a common grave, near the 
road leading from Buffalo to Black Rock, into which 
eighty-nine were promiscuously thrown. They were 
afterwards disinterred, and many of them claimed by 
their relatives, and taken awa)' to he baried near the 
homes they had laid down their lives to protect, that 
their afflicted families might weep over their prema- 
ture graves, and protect them from desecration. The 
bodies of several ethers, who had been killed on their 
retreat through the woods, and scalped by the Indi- 
ans, were found during the winter and spring, and 
committed to the earth. 

At this period, the frontier presented a scene of 
desolation rarely witnessed. The inhabitants w^ho 
had escaped the tomakawk, fled into the interior, in 
the depth of winter, without shelter or means of sup- 
port ; and subsisted on the charity of their friends. 
The panic was general, and pervaded this county, 
though in a degree somewhat less than in the section 
of country in the immediate vicinity of the point of 
attack. The only buildings remaining in Buffalo, 
were the jail, which was built of stone, a small frame 
house, and an armorer's shop. All the houses and al- 
most ever}^ building between Buffalo and Niagara* 
Falls were destroyed, as were also many of those on 
the Batavia road, for several miles beyond Buffalo. 

The ensuing year, a British armed schooner, carry- 
ing eight or ten guns, came into Canadaway Creek, 



OF CHAUTACQUE COCNTT. Qt 

Affair at Canadaway Creek. 

in pursuit of some smaller craft laden with salt, that 
were on their way up the lake from Buffalo. A boat 
with a detachment of men was sent ashore from the 
schooner to capture the salt boats. At the approach 
of the armed vessel, the neighboring militia hastily 
assembled, and gave their visitors a reception quite 
too warm to make their stay agreeable, and they pick- 
ed up their wounded companions and fied, without, 
having accomplished their object. 



€2 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XII. 

■QUALIFICATIONS OF JURORS SETTLERS INCOMPETENT 

LAW ON THE SUBJECT NEWS OF PEACE EF- 
FECTS OF WAR UPON SETTLEMENT SUBSEqUENT 

GROWTH — SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS 

CENSUS. 

Previous to 1815, the qualifications of persons to 
serve as jurors in Courts of Record, were the same 
throughout the State, excepting in the cities of New 
York, Albany and Hudson, In addition to the other 
qualifications of age and residence, a freehold estate 
in lands situate in the County, of the value of one 
hundred and fifty dollars was requisite. Owing to 
the method pursued by the Holland Company in the 
-sales of their lands, very few of the settlers were 
legally competent to the discharge of these respon- 
sible duties. Most of them occupied their lands un- 
der contracts, that gave them the right to acquire 
titles, by paying the purchase money, which was 
usually stipulated to be paid in annual instalments, to 
«uit the convenience of the settler. Under this 
arrangement, the title to the lands remained in the 
proprietors ; in consequence of which, the burdens 
of jury duties fell upon a few persons in each of the 
Counties upon the Holland Purchase, who owned the 
necessary freehold estate. Although at that time, 
and ever since, the settlers possessed every intellec- 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 63 

^ury Duties. News of Peace. 



tual endowment to qualify them for the enlightened 
and faithful discharge of the duties of this branch of 
public service ; it was nevertheless often found ex- 
tremely difficult to procure the attendance of a suffi- 
cient number who had the legal qualifications that 
rendered them competent to serve in the capacity of 
jurors. To remedy this inconvenience, and equalize 
the public burdens, a law was passed in April, 1815, 
applicable to the counties embraced in the Holland 
Company's purchase, and a few other counties, in 
which a similar method had been adopted in the sale 
of lands, making tha occupation of lands, under a 
contract for the purchase thereof by the person in 
possession, if worth the sum of one hundred and fifty 
dollars in personal property, or in improvements upon 
their lands, free from incumbrances, and otherwise 
legally qualified, competent jurors in those counties. 

This law was re-enacted in the Revised Statutes, 
and is still in force ; and since its passage has called 
to the administration of the laws, in the responsible 
station of jurors, the great body of the hardy pioneers 
of the country, who, by the former regulations upon 
the subject, had been excluded from a participation 
in that important service. 

The news of peace with Great Britain, which had 
been concluded at Ghent in December, brought repose 
to the disquieted inhabitants of the frontier counties. 
Chautauque shared largely in the benefits which 



64 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Efferts of War upon Settlements. 

resulted from the cessation of hostilities. Prosperi- 
ty, such as the country had never known, immediately 
succeeded. During the war, not only had emigration 
entirely ceased, but many who had removed hither, 
selected lands and commenced improvements, with a 
view to a permanent residence, abandoned them alto- 
gether upon the commencement of hostilities and 
the approach of danger, and returned to the more 
populous, and as was thought, secure portions of the 
State. 

At the return cf peace, the current cf population 
set strongly to the fertile regions of Western New 
York, which has since, through the energy and enter- 
prise of its citizens, become the garden of the State. 
The .rapidity of its growth has been unexampled ; 
and its fame abroad, for the patriotism and integrity 
of its population, the richness and variety of its pro- 
ductions, and the salubrity of its climate, have kept 
p?.ce with its growth. 

This County, as has already been remarked, was 
not fully organized until- 1811. From that period 
until 1812, it had acted with Niagara and Cattarau- 
gus in the election of members of Assembly. In the 
latter year Niagara and Chautauque were made an 
Assembly district, and become entitled to elect one 
member. At the same time the State was divided 
into four great districts for the election of Senators. 
This County with Schoharrio, Otsego, Herkimer, 



I 



OP CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 65 

Assembly and Senate Districts. Census of 1814, 

Oneida, Chenango, Madison, Jefferson, Lewis, St. 
Lawrence, Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Tioga, 
Broome, Seneca, Steuben, Allegany, Ontario, Gene- 
see, Niagara, and Cattaraugus, constituted the West- 
ern district, and elected twelve members of the 
Senate. In 1815, a new apportionment of members 
of Assembly was made, and Niagara, which then in- 
cluded Erie, with Cattaraugus and Chautauque, were 
erected into a new district, and became entitled to 
elect two members. This apportionment was made 
upon the basis of the census of 1814, which exhib- 
ited a population of only 4259, being an increase of 
1878, since 1810. 

D 



66 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Harmony and ripley erected — masonic lodge — 

SLAVERY representation IN THE LEGISLATURE 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETY INCORPORATED DUNKIRK 

AND MOSCOW TURNPIKE COMPANY — DISTRICT ATTOR- 
NEYS SURROGATE. 

The towns of Harmony and Ripley were erected by 
the Legislature in 1816. The former included the 
present town of Harmony and a portion of Busti, hav- 
ing for its northern boundary the line between the 
second and third tov/nships and the Chautauque Lake ; 
for its eastern, the line between the eleventh and 
twelfth ranges of townships ; for its southern, the 
Pennsylvania line ; and for its western, the line of 
townships between the thirteenth and fourteenth rang- 
es, according to the Holland Company's survey. 

The town of Ripley comprised the present town of 
that name, and that part of Westfield which lies west 
of Chautauque Creek. 

Forest Lodge, at Fredonia, was the first Masonic 
Lodge organized in the County. The date of its ori- 
gin is 1816. Lodges in several of the other towns 
were afterwards instituted, and continued their or- 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 67 

Slavery. Member of Assembly. 

ganizations and assemblies until they were overborne 
by the tide of opposition which they encountered in 
the Anti-masonic excitement in 1827 and 1828. 

When that benign law, so consonant to the spirit 
of philanthropy, was enacted in 1817, providing for 
the gradual emancipation of all persons held in slave- 
ry in this State ; and for the entire freedom of all 
born thereafter within its limits, it found eight per- 
sons in bondage in this County, whose masters resid- 
ed here. Under its remedial influence, that stain up- 
on the escutcheon of this State, has long since been 
entirely obliterated, and it is believed that not a ves- 
tige remains of its accumulated evils, within our ter- 
ritories. 

At the election in the same year, Jediah Prender- 
gast, of Mayville, was elected a representative in the 
Assembly, from the district of which this County 
composed a part. He was the first member of that 
body elected, whose residence was in this County. — ■ 
In the succeeding year he was chosen a Senator from 
the w^estern district. 

The first religious society w^as organized during 
the same year, under the general law of 1813, which 
is still in force, at Cross Roads, nov/ Westfield, a 
house of worship erected, and a pastor installed over 
the congregation. Since that period the number of 
regularly incorporated religious societies excecdr 
fifty, and the increase and influence of their memberc 



68 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

' Turnpike Company. District Attorney. 

have kept pace with the growth and prosperity of the- 
county in other respects. 

A company was incorporated by the legislature of 
1818, called the Dunkirk and Moscow turnpike com- 
pany, for the purpose of constructing " a good and suf- 
ficient turnpike road," from Moscow in the County of 
Genesee, to Dunkirk in this County. The right to 
erect gates, and exact tolls, was conferred, where, and 
as often as ten miles of the road should have been 
completed. This was one of the earliest projects for 
improving the facilities for travel and transportation 
by which this County was intended to be benefitted. 
Nothing, however, beyond a survey was ever done- 
under it, and the act itself, like many succeeding 
ones, relating to improvements of the same general 
character, long since expired by its own limitation, 
and the thoughts of completing the enterprise buried- 
in oblivion. 

Hitherto, for the purposes of administering the 
laws relating to criminals, the State had been divided 
into a convenient number of districts, in each of which 
an attorney was appointed, to conduct criminal pros- 
ecutions on the part of the State. For some years 
John C. Spencer, who then resided at Canandaigua, 
held that appointment for the western district, and 
officiated at the courts held in this County. In 1818 
a law was passed' by which the former system was 
superseded, and the appointment of an attorney pro- 



OF CHAUTArqUE COUNTY. 69 

Surrogate. 

vided for in each County to conduct these proceed- 
ings, in the courts of Oyer and Terminer and Gener- 
al Sessions. The appointment was vested in the 
Governor and Council of appointment. Daniel G. 
Garnsey was appointed the first attorney for this 
County, under this act in 1819. He also received the 
appointment of Surrogate from the same source, the 
same year, and was succeeded in the latter ofHce by 
William Smith, Jr., in 1820. 



70 mSTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XIV. 

CENSUS OF 1820 CONGRESSIONAL DIS-TRICT — CLT- 

DIER, STOCKTON, AND ELLERY ERECTED CONVEN- 
TION OF 1821 — NEW CONSTITUTION — SUBSEQUENT 

AMENDMENTS JUSTICES OF THE PEACE — COUNTY 

CLERK JUDGES. 

By the census of 1820, the population was shown to 
be 15,268 being an increase of 11,009, in the period 
of six years. The rapidity of the growth of this 
county, was at that time unexampled in the history 
of the country, and its general prosperity, kept pace 
with its increasing population. The state of the 
country at large was highly favorable to the rapid 
settlefhent of the west. The clouds of war had dis- 
appeared, and peace brought industry, enterprize and 
wealth in her train. The crowded cities and over- 
peopled sections at the east, both in New England 
and in this state, sent out thousands of their intelli- 
gent and hardy sons and daughters, to become the 
founders of an empire in the fertile valley of the Gen- 
esee, and around the great inland seas of the western 
continent. The country that lured them to its 
bosom, was most inviting, both in soil and cli- 



OP CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 71 

Clymer, Stockton and Gerry Erected. 

mate, and the rapidity of its subsequent advancement 
and present strength, sufficiently attest the propriety 
of their choice. 

A new apportionment of representatives in congress 
viras made in 1821, upon the basis of the census of the 
previous year, and the counties of Genesee, Livings- 
ton, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautau- 
que, were erected into a district, and became entitled 
to elect one member. 

The towns of Clymer, Stockton, and Ellery, were 
organized the same year. The former embraced 
townships one and two in the fourteenth and fif- 
teenth ranges of townships of the Holland Compa- 
ny's survey. The town of Stockton included the 
fourth township in the twelfth range, and one tier of 
lots from the third township in the same range, and 
the same from the fourth township in the thirteenth 
range. Ellery embraced that part of the third town- 
ship in the twelfth range, not included in Stockton, 
the fractional part of township number two in the 
same range lying northerly of Chautauque Lake, and 
a small part of township number three in the thir- 
teenth range, lying easterly of the Lake. The two 
towns last named, have retained their original bound- 
aries to the present time. 

At about this period a man by the name of Buffing- 
ton was engaged in boring for salt water, near the 
fihore of Lake Erie, a short distance below Portland 



t^ HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Buffington's Well: Constitutional Conrention. 

Harbor. He persevered in the attempt, until he had 
penetrated to the depth of 642 feet, but without suc- 
cess. He is said to have expended in this futile at- 
tempt, the sum of three thousand dollars, which he 
possessed ; and when his own means were exhausted 
solicited aid from such of the citizens as were not 
wholly faithless in the final success of the enterprise, 
and would contribute to its promotion. He was ex- 
cited to the undertaking from his belief in the theory 
that the earth's centre was a body of salt, which could 
be found in any location, by penetrating to a sufficient 
depth. He was engaged in the effort nearly three 
years. 

In March, 1821, an actw^as passed recommending 
a convention of the people of this State, for the pur- 
pose of revising and amending the Constitulion, and 
providing for ascertaining the sense of the people up- 
on that subject, at the annual election in the month of 
April following. A ballot was accordingly taken, 
which resulted in a large majority in favor of the prop- 
osition. The vote of this County was 1134 in favor, 
and 177 against it. The same act provided for the 
election of delegates to the convention on the third 
Tuesday of June thereafter, in number equal to the 
representation of the several counties and districts in 
the Assembly. The counties of Cattaraugus, Chau- 
tauque, Erie, and Niagara, were included in an As- 
sembly district, and entitled to elect two members. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTT. 73 

New Constitution. 

Augustus Porter, and Samuel Russel, were chosen 
delegates from this district. The convention assem- 
bled at the Capitol in Albany, on the 28th day of Au- 
gust, and closed its session on the 10th day of Novem- 
ber thereafter. 

The constitution under which we live, was the fruit 
of their labors. By it almost the entire structure of 
the State government was changed. Scarcely a pil- 
lar in the venerable fabric reared by the political fa- 
thers of the State was left standing. The Legislative, 
Executive, and Judicial departments were remodelled. 
The appointing power, which had wielded an annual 
patronage of millions of dollars, was changed to an 
untried, yet it was thought an improved, method ; — 
but the experience of a quarter of a century under it, 
has demonstrated the necessity of further chanj^es, to 
bring it nearer the people, the source of all political 
power. Among the details of the labors of this tal- 
ented body, may be found important changes in the 
manner of selecting various public officers, which had 
before received their appointment from the Governor 
and council, among which were sheriffs, clerks of 
counties, and district attorneys. The property qual- 
ification of electors was in part abolished, except in 
cases of persons of color. Justices of the peace, who 
had previously received their appointment from the 
Governor, were thereafter to be appointed by the board 
of Supervisors of counties and Judges, in the samo 



74 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Appointments. Clerks. Judges. 

manner that commissioners of deeds continued to be 
until that office was abolished by law. 

The new constitution was submitted to the people 
for their approval on the third Tuesday in January, 
1822, and on the two succeeding days ; and after a 
thorough canvass of its merits, was adopted by ? ma- 
jority of nearly 34,000 votes in the State. 

The provision for the selection of Justices of the 
peace was found in practice, to be but a slight im- 
provement upon the former method. An amendment 
was matured, and adopted in 1826, conferring their 
choice upon the people at the annual election in No- 
vember. In 1 829 the time of their election was chang- 
ed to the annual meeting for the choice of town offi- 
cers in the spring, which having been found much 
more convenient in practice, has remained without 
further alteration to the present time. 

Thomas B. Campbell received an appointment to 
the office of County Clerk in May, 1820, and was suc- 
ceeded by John Dexter in March, 1821. He also 
represented the Assembly district of which this Coim- 
ty constituted a part, in the legislature of the latter 
year. 

John Crane, Ebenezer P. Upham, and Joel Bumell, 
were appointed Judges of the County Courts at about 
the same period. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XV. 

CHAUTAUQUE AN ASSE3IBLY DISTRICT — CHANGE OF 
ELECTION — ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS IN 1822 
COUNTY OFFICERS OFFICERS UNDER NEW CON- 
STITUTION — CIRCUIT JUDGES — BUSTI AND VILLE- 
NOVA ORGANIZED. 

In April, 1822, this county was organized into an As- 
sembly District, and became entitled to elect one 
member. Erie, Niagara and Chautaiique were at the 
same time erected into a Congressional District, and 
had one member apportioned to it. Since 1813, up 
to this period, the general elections in this state, had 
been held in April. The new constitution contained 
a provision altering the time for the next election to 
the first Monday in November, and requiring all sub- 
sequent elections to be held at such times in the 
month of October or November as the legislature 
should by law provide. Under this provision, the 
legislature of 1822 fixed the days of election on the 
first Monday and the two succeeding days in No- 
vember in each year, on which they continued to be 
held until 1842. The election for Members of Con- 



■^6 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

County Officers Elected and Appointed. 

gress, however, took place in April, under the former 
law, and Albert H. Tracy was elected to that office 
from the newly organized district. Near the close 
of the legislative session, Nathan Mixer was appoint- 
ed a Judge of the county courts. At the November 
election, the officers elective by the people to serve 
under the new constitution, which came in force on 
the first day of January, 1823, were chosen. Joseph 
C Yates was elected to the office of Governor with 
scarcely a show of opposition. Gilbert Douglass 
was chosen for Sheriff without opposition, and John 
Dexter Clerk, over Thomas B. Campbell, by 445 ma- 
jority. James Mullett, Jr. was elected to represent 
this County in the Assembly. 

The new constitution provided that the commis- 
sions of all persons holding civil offices on the last 
day of December, 1822, should expire on that day. 
Under this provision it became necessary to fill the 
offices, the appointment to which was conferred upon 
the Governor and Senate, at an early period in the 
ensuing year. 

The first County Judges appointed under it, were 
Elial T. Foote, First Judge, and Ebenezer P. Up- 
ham, Nathan Mixer, Joel Burnell, and Isaac Harmon, 
Judges, each to hold the office for five years. Wil- 
liam Smith, Jr. was appointed Surrogate. Daniel 
G. Garnsey was appointed District Attorney by tha 
County Court at its first session in 1823. 



or CHAUTAU«iUE COUNTY. Tt 

Circuit Judges. Changes Vice Chancellor. 

The new Judiciary System for the State was alsc? 
organized, in conformity with the amended constitu- 
tion. William B. Rochester received the appoint- 
ment of Circuit Judge for the Eighth Judicial Cir- 
cuit, in which the County of Chautauque was em- 
braced. He discharged the duties of the station with 
marked ability, for three years, at the termination of 
which he resigned his commission, in consequence of 
having received from President Adams, the appoint- 
ment of Minister on the part of the United States, to 
the Congress of Panama. He was a candidate for 
Governor, in opposition to Dewitt Clinton in 1826 ;. 
the latter gentleman succeeding over him by a mai- 
jority of 3,650 votes. Judge Rochester was distin- 
guished for his amenity of manners, his talents as a 
jurist, and his erudition. He was succeeded in his 
office of Circuit Judge by John Birdsall, who resigned 
the office in ] 829, and was in turn succeeded by Ad- 
dison Gardiner, v/hose appointment bears date the 
29th of September in that year.. He continued to dis- 
charge the duties of the office until ihe winter of 
1838, when he resigned. After his resignation, the 
appointment was conferred upon: John B, Skinner, 
who declined to accept it, and Nathan Dayton, the 
present incumbent, was selected to fill the vacancy,. 
Up to 1839, the duties of Circuit Judge and Vice 
Chancellor of the Eighth Circuit, had been discharged 
by the same individual. The growth in business and 



78 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Busti and Villenova Organised. 

population of the western portion of the State had so 
augmented the business of the courts, and more judi- 
dicial force being necessary to its dispatch, that in 
March, 1839, a law was passed separating the Chan- 
cery duties from those of the Circuit Judge in the 
Eighth Circuit, and in April following Frederick 
Whittlesey was appointed to fill the office of Vice 
Chancellor. 

The towns of Busti and Villenova were organized 
in 1823. The former received its name from Paul 
Busti, the General Land Agent of the Holland Com- 
pany resident in the city of Philadelphia. It em- 
braced portions of the first townships in the eleventh 
and twelfth ranges, lying south of Chautauque Lake, 
and between the towns of Ellicott and Harmony as 
then organized, and taken in part from each. Ville- 
nova was taken from Hanover, and includes the fifth 
township in the tenth range, according to the origin- 
al survey. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 79f 



CHAPTER XVI. 

MAIL ROUTES POST-OFFICES — ROUTE TO MEADVILLB 

ELECTION IN 1823 ELLINGTON AND MINA OR- 
GANIZED ACADEMIES CLERK's OFFICE POLIT- 
ICAL PARTIES IN 1824 ELECTION IN THAT TEAR. 

CARROLL ORGANIZED. 

Previous to 1813, communications by the people of 
this County with the inhabitants of older sections, 
were both infrequent and difficult, and as often carri- 
ed on through the agency of emigrants and explor- 
ers, as by the government mails. The earliest public 
arrangement for facilitating intercourse among the 
inhabitants, was the establishment of a mail route 
from Buffalo to Erie, in 1806, and the employment of 
a man by the name of Metcalf, a resident of Ohio, to 
transport the mail over it, once in two weeks on foot. 
The mail matter entrusted to him in the early part of 
his services, was carried in a pocket handkerchief, 
and distributed to the several post offices on the route, 
of which there were four in this county in 1813. 
C anadaway post office was located about four miles 
east of Fredonia, and Orsamus Holmes appointed 
post master ; Pomfret post office at Fredonia, and 
Samuel Berry post master ; Chautauque post office 
at Westfield and James McMahan post master ; and 
Mayville post office and Charles B, Rouse post mas- 



80 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Mail Routes Election, Ellington and Mina Organised. 

ter. In 1813, Col. Bird commenced carrying the 
mail from Buffalo to Erie, once a week on horseback, 
for six hundred dollars per annum. In 1820, im- 
provements in the facilities for travel and conveyan- 
ces, enabled him to perform the same service, with 
the same frequency in two horse waggons, for five 
hundred dollars ; and in ] 823, he commenced carry- 
ing it in four horse post coaches, for the same amount 
of compensation that he had received for carrying it 
on horseback, ten years before. 

In 1816, a communication by mail was opened be- 
tween Mayville and Meadville Pa. by way of James- 
town, a post office established at the latter place, and 
James Prendergast appointed post master. 

In November, 1823, James Mullett, Jr. was re- 
elected to represent this county in the Assemby, over 
John Crane, by 368 majority. 

Ellington and Mina were organized in 1824. The 
former embracing the third and fourth townships in 
the tenth range, was taken from Gerry. The latter 
was taken from Clymer, and included townships No. 
two in the fourteenth and fifteenth ranges of town- 
ships. 

The Fredonia Academy was established in Novem- 
ber of the same year, and was the first Institution of 
the kind located within tlie County. In April of the 
succeeding year it received legislative aid, by the 
grant of three hundred and fifty dollars a year for five 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTT. 81 

Academies. 

years, to be applied exclusively to the payment of the 
salary of a competent teacher. The first term com^ 
menced October 1, 1 826. The effects of an institu- 
tion of this kind were immediately and sensibly felt, 
in the stimulus it gave to the acquisition of knowl- 
edge, and the higher tone it imparted to morals in the 
wide circle of its influence. Its character for useful- 
ness is still maintained ; and its flourishing condi- 
tion evinces the public sense of the benefits it has 
conferred upon the rising generation. It was re- 
ceived under the visitation of the Regents of the Uni- 
versity in February, 1830. 

The Mayville Academy was incorporated in April, 
1834, by the legislature. To carry out the objects of 
its institution, an elegant and substantial building 
of brick has been erected, on an elevation overlooking 
Chautauque Lake, and the surrounding country for 
many miles, the view from which is remarkably pic- 
turesque, and in every sense delightful. This insti- 
tution is in a flourishing condition. It became sub- 
ject to the Regents of the University in February, 
1829. 

The Jamestown Academy was incorporated in 
April, 1836. A substantial and commodious wood 
building upon a stone basement has been erected, for 
the purposes of the incorporation. It was also re- 
ceived under the visitation of the Regents in Febru- 
ary, 1839. It is imparting a healthful tone to public 



83 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Academies. Clerk's Office. 

sentiment, and receives a support, which renders the 
permanency of its establishment undoubted. 

The Dunkirk and Westfield Academies were in- 
corporated in May, 1837, and became subject to the 
visitation of the Regents, at the same time with those 
located at Jamestown and Mayville. These institu- 
tions are highly useful, and could not be dispensed 
with, without a serious loss to the community in 
which they are situated. Their merits are duly ap- 
preciated, as is shown by the liberal support which 
they receive. 

These several Academies partake of the public lib- 
erality, in the share of the literature fund which they 
respectively receive from the State. 

The sum of seven hundred dollars was raised by 
tax, upon the people of the County in 1824, for the 
purpose of erecting a lire proof clerk's office. A 
building, answering that character, and adequate to 
the wants of the County, was subsequently erected at 
the county seat, at the aggregate cost of about $1,500. 

'the different political parties at this period were 
known as Clintonians and Bucktails. Party strife 
ran high throughout the State. Gov. Clinton, whose 
name characterized that of his supporters, received 
1483 votes in this County, and Col. Young, the can- 
didate of the Bucktails, 1093 ; while at the same time 
Nathan Mixer, the candidate of the Bucktail party 
for the Assembly, was elected by a majority of two 



OF CHAUTAUqrE COUNTY. 83 

Election. Carroll Erected. 

votes over Samuel A. Brown, the former having re- 
ceived 1250 votes, ^and the latter 1248. Daniel G. 
Garnsey was elected to represent this district in the 
Congress of the United States. 

The town of Carroll was organised in 1825. It 
was taken from Ellicott, and occupies the south- 
easternmost portion of the County. In includes the 
first township in the tenth range, and the east half 
of township number one in the eleventh range, ex- 
cept a tier of lots on the north side of the last named 
township, which still formes a part of Ellicott. It 
received its name from that of Charles Carroll, a dis- 
tinguished citizen of Virginia, and the last surviving 
^signer of the declaration of American Independence* 



84 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XVII. 

ELECTION IN 1825 CANAL ROUTES SURVEYED — -■ 

STATE ROAD GEN. LAFAYETTE CENSUS OF 1825 

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY APPORTIONMENT ELEC- 
TION OF 1826. 
At the annual election in November, 1825, Elial T. 
Foote and Thomas B, Campbell were opposing- can- 
didates for the office of member of Assembly, and 
the former was elected by a majority of 3^84. Elijah. 
Kisley, Jr. was eliosen to fill the office of Sheriff, over 
Samuel Barrett, and John Dexter was re-elected; 
Clerk over Asahel Lyon. 

By an act of th« legislature, the canal commission-, 
ers were required to make surveys and estimates of 
the most eligible routes for navigable communications 
from Lake Erie to the Allegany River, through the 
valley of the Connewang^o ; and from Portland Har- 
bor to the head of Chautauque Lake^ The duties of 
the commissioners were executed, and the results of 
their examinations, and the estimates of the expenses, 
of the construction of these works submitted to the 
legislature ; but no action of that body, with a view 
of carrying out these projects, was ever taken. 

During the same year, Nathaniel Pitcher, Jabez D. 
Hammond, and George Morell were appointed State 
road commissioners, for the purpose of making sur- 
veys of the various routes for a State road from the 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 



B5 



State Road. 53il^L?^5':!£!!^_„ 

-Hudson River to Lake Erie, through the southern 
tier of counties. 

They discharged their duties, and recommended 
two routes, which were identical from Bath in the 
County of Steuben westward to the town of Gerry in 
this County, From this point it was proposed to 
have branches to Portland and Dunkirk Harbors on 
Lal^e Erie, to be constructed by the private enterprise 
'of the inhabitants. A bill to authorize and provide 
for its construction, was matured in the legislature, 
but was defeated through the influence of the repre- 
sentatives from what was then, and has since been 
known as the "canal section." Members represent- 
ing those portions of the State through which the 
canals pass, and which have been, and continue to 
be largely benefitted by them, have for years con- 
trolled the legislation of the State, on all subjects 
regarding public improvements, and still maintain a 
jealous watchfulness over, and bring the power of 
numbers to bear upon, every projected improvement) 
the success of which may be calculated, either di- 
rectly or remotely to effect the interests of those 
highly favored sections. The southern counties still 
feel the weight of this influence againet them, in all 
matters of legislation, which tend to develop their 
resources, or place them upon an equal footing with 
those portions which owe their prosperity in a great 
sflegree to the munificence of the State. 



86 raSTORICAL SKETCHES 

Gen. La Fayette. Census of 1825. 

Gen. La Fayette visited this County in the sum- 
mer of 1825, during his triumphant passage through 
the United States. The Governor was authorized by 
law to procure a full length portrait of this distin- 
guished friend of liberty, to be placed in the capitol 
of the State : and to provide for his public reception 
in Albany in a manner suited to his character and 
services to the country, and evincive of the affection 
and gratitude entertained for him by the people ; the 
expenses of which were to be defrayed out of the 
treasury. 

At this period, the County of Chautauque contained 
a population of 20,639 souls, as shown by the census 
taken under the authority of the State, in the fifteen 
towns which were then organised. This enumeration 
showed an increase of 5,371 since 1820, and 16,380 
since 1814.. 

In April, 1826, a law was passed apportioning the- 
members of Assembly, and re-organising the Senate 
districts, upon the basis of the census of the preceding 
year. Under this apportionment this Comity became- 
entitled to elect two members to the Assembly ; and 
at the election in November following, Elial T. Foote, 
and Samuel A. Brown, one candidate of each political 
party, and both residents of the village of Jamestown, 
were elected, over Nathan Mixer and Philo Orton. 
Daniel G. Garnsey was re-elected to Congress. 
James MuUett, Esq. was appointed District Attorney* 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 87 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

CONSTITUTION AMENDED ANTI-MASONIC EXCITEMENT 

ELECTION IN 1827 SHERIDAN ERECTED VIL- 
LAGE OF JAMESTOWN INCORPORATED CASADAGA 

NAVIGATION COMPANY INCORPORATED DUNKIRK 

LIGHT HOUSE BUILT SILVER CREEK, CATTARAUGUS, 

AND PORTLAND HARBORS. 

At the general election in 1826, two amendments to 
the constitution of this State, which had been matiu-ed 
by the legislature of that and the preceding year, 
were submitted to, and voted upon, by the people. 

The one was to change the method of appointing 
Justices of the Peace by the Supervisors and Judges 
of the several counties, to an election by the people 
in the several towns. The other abolished the prop- 
erty qualification of voters, other than for persons of 
color. Both these amendments were adopted without 
serious opposition. 

In September of the same year, an outrage was 
perpetrated upon the life of a citizen of Western 
New-York, which convulsed the people of that sec- 
tion, and to some extent those of the whole State, for 
several years, and became the basis of a new political 
organization. It will readily be perceived that the 



88 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Anti-Masonic Excitement, 

event alluded to, is the abduction of William Morgan, 
and it is supposed subsequent violent death, by per- 
sons connected with the Masonic fraternity. It is not 
deemed important or even proper, to give the details 
of the exciting scenes which followed this event, in 
the brief sketches which these pages are intended to 
contain ; but a reference to the subject, as it became 
connected with the subsequent elections, is all that 
seems appropriate. 

The excitement which followed the perpetration of 
the offence, arose, not from the atrocious nature of the 
act alone, but also from the opposition, concealment, 
and resistance, which everywhere met and retarded 
the progress of those, who from motives of humanity, 
and a sense of just indignation at the occurrence, 
attempted to investigate the circumstances attending 
it, and bring the offenders to justice. As intelligence 
of the general nature of the offence, of the impenetra- 
ble mystery which shrouded the whole subject, and 
the efforts to elude detection which arrested inquiry, 
were sent abroad, the excitement grew more and more 
intense, until it pervaded private circles, and became 
the absorbing topic of discussion in the columns of 
nearly all the newspapers in the western section of 
the State. A law was passed for the punishment of 
kidnapping, and although not alluding in terms to 
the subject of the recent outrage, was evidently the 
offspring of the state of things which then existed. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COtJWTT. 



Election. Sheridan Erected. Jamestown Incorpioraled, 

At the election in November, 1827, Nathan Mixer, 
and Nathaniel Fenton, were elected to the Assembly, 
on the Anti-Masonic ticket, over James Mullett, Jr., 
and Thomas A. Osborne, the candidates of the oppo- 
sition. In the contest for Senator for the Eighth 
District, Timothy H. Porter, who was the nominee 
of the Bucktail party, was elected, over George A. S. 
Crooker, who had been adopted as the candidate of 
the Anti-Masons, in the then immature state of the 
party, and the haste in which they were required to 
act. On learning that their nominee was not only a 
Mason, but obnoxious to other objections ; and that 
in point of character and in his freedom from any con- 
nection with Masonry, Mr. Porter was unexception- 
able, the former was dropped by the Anti-Masons, 
and the suffrages of the party given to the latter. 

In 1827, the town of Sheridan was erected. It was 
taken from Pomfret and Hanover, and embraces the 
sixth township in the eleventh range, excepting lots 
one, two, three, and four, in the southeast corner, on 
a portion of which the village of Forestville stands, 
which remain attached to Hanover. 

In 1810, James Prendergast purchased a tract of 
land, on which the village of Jamestown now stands ; 
and in the succeeding year erected a dam across the 
outlet of Chautauque Lake, and at a place which was 
then known as the ' Rapids.' A saw-mill was erected 
in 1812, and in 1815 a survey and village plot were 



90 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Steam-Mill Company. Navigation Company. ' 

made, which took the name by which it has since 
been known. It was incorporated by an act of the 
Legislature in 1827, and was the first village in the 
County, on which corporate powers were conferred. 
In 1840 it contained a population of 1212 ; in 1845 
it had increased to 1642. 

During the year 1827, the " Casadaga Steam Mill 
Company " was incorporated with a capital of $10,000. 
A dam had been constructed across the outlet of 
Casadaga Lake, the waters of the Lake raised several 
feet above their natural level, and mills erected for 
the use of the inhabitants. Owing to the state of 
the lands surrounding the lakes being low, and cov- 
ered with a heavy growth of timber, it became 
necessary to remove the dam, and draw the water 
down to its original hight, on account of the sickness 
which the decaying timber produced. In order to 
save the buildings which had been constructed at 
considerable expense, the project of propelling the 
machinery which they contained by steam power 
was started, and the efforts of those interested, re- 
sulted in the passage of the act before mentioned. 
Nothing however, was done under it, and the project 
was finally abandoned. 

In the same year, a company with a capital of 
^20,000, was incorporated for the purpose of improv- 
ing the navigation of the Casadaga Creek from the 
lake of the same name, to its junction with the 



OF CHAUTAUQUE'COUNTT. 9J 



Navigation Company. Dunkirk Harbor. 

Chautauque outlet, and of the latter stream from the 
junction, and of the Connewango Creek to -the State 
line of Pennsylvania. It received the name of the 
" Casadaga Navigation Company," and was required 
by the act of incorporation to complete the improve- 
ment of the streams mentioned, within two years, or 
the act would become void. 

Operations were commenced under it, and several 
miles of the upper portion of the Casadaga creek 
was cleared out, so as to facilitate the passage of 
boats. A boat was constructed at the Lake, and at- 
tempted to be navigated down the stream ; but owing 
to its small size and its many sudden turnings, the 
navigation to any considerable extent was found to 
be impracticable. The boat was taken out and drawn 
by land to Walkup's mills in the town of Gerry, 
where the stream was navigable, again committed to 
its destined element, and afterwards found its way 
down the Allegany River. Hitherto no farther efforts 
to render the upper portion of the stream navigable, 
have been attempted. 

The first expenditure of public moneys, in the way 
of improving the facilities for navigating the waters 
of Lake Erie within this County, were commenced 
in 1827, under an authority derived from a law of 
Congress, by which the sum of $4,000 was appro- 
priated for the construction of a light-house at Dun- 
kirk harbor. The sum of $3,000 was appropriated 



J02 HISTOltlCAL SKETCHES 

Dunkirk, Silver Creek, Cattaraugus and Portland Harbois. 

-for a break-water, the subsequent year ; and furthel" 
appropriations from time to time, have been made by- 
Congress, until the sum of f 80,000 in the aggregate, 
iias been expended upon the improvements in that 
harbor, 

A beacon-light was constructed at Silver Creek 
Harbor in 1828, at the expense of ^3,500. Cattar- 
augus Creek and Portland Harbor have also been 
improved by expenditures of the public moneys un- 
der the direction of the General Government. At 
the latter place a light-house was built in 1829, at 
the expense of $3,400 which is illuminated by the 
natural gas evolved from the earth in its vicinity. 



OF CHAtTTAUqUE COUNTY. 953 



CHAPTER XIX. 

CHERRY VALLEY COMPANY- CHAUTAUqUE LAKE STEAM- 
BOAT STEAM BOAT COMPANY INCORPORATED — 

CHAUTAUqUE OUTLET LODI AND JAMESTOWN ROAD. 

FREDONIA AND PERRY ROAD CANAL ROUTE a 

SURVEYED FREDONIA INCORPORATED ELECTION, 

IN 1828 APPOINTMENTS, 

In 1828, the Holland Land Company, who had hith- 
erto retained their titles to the lands lying within the 
limits of this County, sold out their interest in 60,000 
acres of those wh«ich remained wild lying in the south 
eastern and eastern sections of the County, to Levi 
Beardsley, James O. Morse, and Alvan Stewart of 
Cherry Valley.. These persons have since been 
known as the Cherry Valley Company, and have^ 
employed local agents, and continued the sale of 
these lands to actual settlers. A considerable por- 
tion yet remain unsold. 

The first application of steam to the purposes of 
navigation upon Chautauque Lake, was made in ] 828., 
The steamboat Chautauque, to ply between James- 
town and Mayville, was built in that year. It con- 
tinued to run during the summer seasons until 1836, 
when it was laid aside, and gave place to the more 
spacious and elegant structure, known at first as the 
Robert Falconer, and afterward as tl>e William H». 
Seward. The latter has remained in use, until the 



^ HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Steamboat Company. Chstitauque Outlet. 

present time. Chautauqua Lake is probably the most 
elevated body of water on which a steamboat floats in 
the known world. 

In 1829. the Chautauque Steamboat Company was 
incorporated, with a capital of 810,000. to continue 
for twenty years. The business of this company was 
to be confined to the navigation of Chautauque Lake 
and outlet, with steam and other boats, and to the 
carryinor of freight and passengers. 

During the same year, an act was passed, authori- 
sing several citizens of the village of Jamestown to 
improve the Chautauque outlet from the steamboat 
landing to Prendergast's mills, in such a manner as 
to render it navigable for such boats as were or might 
be used upon the Lake. The rapids, commencing in 
the outlet at the landing, about half a mile above the 
central portion of the village, and extending through 
nearly its whole course until its junction with the 
Casadaga Creek, formed a total obstruction to its fur- 
ther navigation by steamboats, or such other craft as 
might be required for use upon the Lake. The con- 
templated improvement was designed to facilitate the 
passage of the boat that had recently been constructed, 
and to enable her to discharge her passengers and 
freight much nearer the business part of the village, 
instead of terminating the voyage at the commence- 
ment of ^oal water at the head of the rapids. No 
pleasures were ever taken to carry out the original 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 95 

Lodi and Jamestown Road. Fredonia and Perry Road. 

design under the last mentioned act ; nor to organise 
the company that had been incorporated for the pur- 
poses of navigation. 

The previous year a law v^^as passed appointing 
commissioners to lay out a road from Lodi in the 
County of Cattaraugus, to Jamestow^n in the County 
of Chautauque, to be opened and improved, for the 
purpose of facilitating intercourse between Buffalo 
and the east, by way of Lodi, to the waters flowing 
into the Mississippi. 

In 1829, commissioners were appointed by law, to 
lay out a road from the village of Perry, in the Coun- 
ty of Genesee, to Fredonia, in this County, by the 
most direct and eligible route. 

Whether this act, or that of the previous year, be- 
fore mentioned, was ever complied with, further than 
to make the preliminary surveys, does not appear 
from any evidence in the possession of the compiler. 
Of one fact however he is certain ; that no public 
roads, connecting the places names in either of the 
acts, were made, except b}^ the enterprise and public 
spirit of the inhabitants most interested in their con- 
struction. 

The canal commissioners were required by a joint 
resolution of the two houses of the legislature, to 
cause surveys of several routes, for canals to connect 
the Erie canal with the Allegany river. Two of these 
routes passed through this County. The one by the 



96 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Canal Routes. Fredonia Incorporated. Election in 1829. 

way of the valley of the Conewango Creek, and the 
other through that of the Casadaga. The route final- 
ly selected for this communication, was by way of the 
valley of the Genesee river, and the point of junction 
with the Allegany, at Olean, in the County of Catta- 
raugus. 

The village of Fredonia was incorporated in 1829, 
being the second village within the County on which 
corporate powers were conferred by the legislature. 
In 1837 its charter was amended, and the boundaries 
enlarged. Its present limits are embraced in the 
form of a square, of one and a half, miles in extent, 
with the centre of the observatory of the Johnson 
House, a spacious edifice, as its centre. 

The election contest in 1828, assumed somewhat of 
a triangular aspect. There were three parties in the 
field : the Anti-Masons, who were the strongest, the 
Jackson party, and the National Republicans. Abner 
liazeltine, and Nathan Mixer, the candidates of the 
Anti-Masons, were elected to the Assembly, over 
Joseph White, and John McAllister, the Jackson can- 
didates, and John Crane, and James Hall, the candi- 
dates of the National Republicans. Daniel Shear- 
man, was elected Sheriff, and James B. Lowry, Coun- 
ty Clerk. 

Elial T. Foote, was appointed First Judge, and 
Benjamin Walworth, Judge of the County Courts. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 97 



CHAPTER XX. 

TOWNS OF WESTFIELD, CHARLOTTE, ARKWRIGHT, CHER" 
RY CREEK, AND FRENCH CREEK ERECTED TEMPER- 
ANCE SOCIETY — OTHER BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES — « 

ELECTION IN 1829 MAYVILLE INCORPORATED — 

CENSUS OF 1830 — ELECTION IN 1830. 

The towns of Westfield, Charlotte, Arkwright, Cher- 
ry Creek, and French Greek, were erected in 1829. 

Westfield was taken from Ripley and Portland, 
and includes parts of the third and fourth townships in 
the fourteenth range. It is somewhat irregular in 
its shape, bordering on Lake Erie on the north, and 
extending into the interior, as far south as the north 
line of the second tier of townships, within twelve 
miles of the Pennsylvania line. 

Charlotte was taken from Gerry, and embraces the 
fourth township in the eleventh range, entire. 



98 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Arkwright, Cherry Creek, and French Creek Incorporated. 

Arkwright was taken from Pomfret and Villenova, 
and includes the fifth township in the eleventh range, 
excepting lot sixty-four, in the northwest corner, 
which remains attached to Pomfret. 

Cherry Creek was taken from Ellington, and in- 
cludes the fourth township in the tenth range. 

French Creek was taken from Clymer, and embra- 
ces the first township in the fifteenth range, lying in 
the southwest corner of the County, adjoining the 
Pennsylvania line. 

The Chautauque County Temperance Society was 
organised in 1829. Its origin can hardly be said to 
have indicated its future strength, and wide spread 
usefulness and success. At its first organisation, it 
was composed of only fifteen members. So general 
was the use of intoxicating drinks, so firmly had man 
become wedded to the habit, and so h armless was the 
indulgence then regarded, that but few men possessed 
the moral courage to stand up in the face of the world, 
and proclaim their determination to put away the evil 
from among them. But such has been the success of 
the enterprise, that the great mass of the people are 
not only in the practice of total abstinence, but have 
publicly arrayed themselves on the side of temperance 
and virtue, in aid of one of the most extensive and 
efficient reformations of modern times. 

Other benevolent societies have since been organ- 
ised, and are still difi'using their benefits among the 



Of CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 99 

Election in 1829. Mayville Incorporated. Census of 1830. 

people. Among- these may be named the Bible, Mis- 
sionary, and Sabbath School Societies, the anniver- 
saries of which, with that of the County Temperance 
Society, are reg-ularly held by appointment at the 
same time and place. 

At the annual election in 1839, Abner Hazeltine, 
was re-elected, with Squire White, to represent this 
County in the Assembly. Benjamin Walworth, and 
Horace Allen, were the opposing candidates. 

Artemas Hearick, was appointed Judge of the Coun- 
ty Courts, 

The village of Mayville was incorporated in 1830. 
It was selected for the County seat at an early period, 
and continues to occupy the same position. 

The first Court House and Jail were constructed of 
wood, and having become somewhat dilapidated, and 
deemed unsafe, the Board of Supervisors were author- 
ised by the legislature of 1830, to take into considera- 
tion the propriety of raising $5000 by tax, to build a 
new Jail, The act was not imperative, but left the 
subject to the discretion of the Supervisors, who suf- 
fered it to pass without any action on their part, and 
the question was defen-ed for the time. 

By the returns of the census, taken by the marshals 
appointed under the authority of the United States, 
the population of this County was found to be 34,671, 
being an increase of 14,032 since the last enumera- 
tion. For the preceding five years, this County had 



K)^ HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Improvements. Election in 1830. 

increased with unexampled rapidity. The hardships 
and privations of early settlement, and the perils of a 
border war, had long since passed away, and an intel- 
ligent, busy population, had settled in every section, 
and were rapidly converting the dense forests into 
fruitful fields, from which the labors of the husband- 
man were amply repaid by the rich harvests which 
succeeded. Intercourse by means of improved roads 
and the navigation of the Lakes, was facilitated, and 
the whole aspect of the country presented a condition 
of prosperity and increasing wealth, which gave assur- 
ance of future greatness. 

At the annual election, John Birdsall, who had re- 
signed the office of Circuit Judge for the Eighth Cir- 
cuit in September of the previous year, and Squire 
White, were elected to the Assembly, on the Anti- 
Masonic ticket. Elial T, Footo, and Evne'^'t Mullett y 
were the candidates of the Jackson party, 
Philo Orton, was appointed Judge, 



\ 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTt. Tt>l 



CHAPTER XXI. 

^ANK INCORPORATED — NON-IMPRISONMENT LAW — = 

ELECTION AND APPOINTMENTS IN 1831 N. Y. AND 

ERIE RAIL ROAD COaiPANY INCORPORATED — POOR 
HOUSE ESTABLISHED. 

The Chautauque County Bank, located at Jamestown, 
was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, in 
April, 1831. It was organised under the safety fund 
act, and the capital fixed at ^100,000, with the privi- 
lege of issuing bills to twice the amount of its capital, 
Elial T. Foote, was the first President, and Arad Joy, 
Cashier. The former has been succeeded by Samuel 
Barrett, in the Presidency, who still remains at the 
head of the Institution, Aaron D. Patchin, Thaddeus 
W. Patchin, and Robert Newland, have successively 
occupied the post of Cashier ; and the latter is still 
■its financial officer. 



102 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Election in 1831. Appointments. N.Y. & Erie Rail Road. 



A change in the laws of debtor and creditor took 
place in the passage of the act to abolish imprison- 
ment for debt, in April of the same year, which* 
affected more sensibly all the business rehtions of 
society than any law of the Legislature which had 
been passed in many years. The opponents of the 
measure were for some time violent in their denunci- 
ations, and clamorous for its repeal ; but the incon- 
veniences resulting from the sudden changes which 
it effected, having gradually worn off, the public voice 
subsided into acquiescence with its provisions, as at 
once humane and just, until scarcely an individual 
can be found in the community, who would raise his 
voice in favor of restoring the laws to the condition in 
which they existed prior to 1831. 

At the election in November, 1831, there was no 
opposition to the candidates of the Anti-Masonic par- 
ty, in this County. Squire White, and Theron Bly, 
were chosen as members of Assembly, Benjamin 
Douglass, Sheriff, and James B. Lowry, Clerk. 

Thomas B, Campbell, was re-appointed Judge, and 
William Smith, Jr., Surrogate, by the Governor and 
Senate ; and Samuel A. Brown, District Attorney, by 
the County Court. 

The act incorporating the New-York and Erie Rail 
Road Company was passed in 1832. For many 
years the people of the southern counties had been 
looking to the Legislature for aid in developing their 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 103 



New- York and Erie Rail Road. 

resources, for the means of facilitating- their inter- 
course with those sections which would best aiFord a 
market for their various productions, and for a bestow- 
al upon them of some share of the benefits of State 
liberality, of which the canal section had become so 
largely a recipient. The passage of the act itself at 
once excited the expectations of the people to be im- 
mediately affected by it, to a high degree, as those 
expectations were based upon the supposition that the 
road would be commenced and prosecuted to a speedy 
completion. These hopes and expectations, the nat- 
ural offspring of their wants and their capabilities, are 
as far from being realized now, and even farther, than 
when the first step was taken. Like the fabled bowl 
of Tantalus, it still eludes them, and is farthest from 
their grasp when apparently nearest being tasted. 

To trace the history of this project from its incep- 
tion to the present time, would more properly belong 
to a work of more pretensions than the present. It 
is here alluded to, in connection with other incidents 
hi the history of Chautauque County, because its west- 
ern termination has been fixed at Dunkirk ; and be- 
cause the hopes and fears of the people in this section, 
have been excited as often, and as intensely as in any 
portion of the State. 

The course of legislation upon the subject of this 
great improvement has been singular at least, and 
has had the effect to bring the work into disrepute in 



104 mSTORIOAL SKETCHES 

^] Poor House Erected. Keepers. 

sections not immediately contiguous to it : and to ex- 
cite in the people a distrust of the practicability of 
the work, and of the intentions of those who have 
been esteemed its friends. 

The County Poor House wa^ erected in IS30, on a 
farm purchased for that purpose near the pleasant 
village of Dewittrille. in the town of Chautauque. on 
the east side of Chautauque Lake. The expense to 
the County for the farm and buildings was about 
S8,000. The buildings are substantial and commodi- 
ous, and well adapted to the convenience and comfort 
of^ose, who from povertj- or misfortune may seek 
an asylum within its walls, William Gifibrd, was 
appointed the first keeper, by the board of Superin- 
tendents of the Poor. He was succeeded by William 
M. Waggoner, and he in turn by John G. Paimiter. 



OF CHAtJTAUQUK COUNTY. 105 



CHAPTER XXII. 

TOWNS OF POLAND AND SHERMAN ERECTED — NEW JAIt 
BUILT MAYVILLE AND PORTLAND BAIL ROAD COM- 
PANY BUFFALO AND ERIE RAIL ROAD COMPANY 

CONGEESSIONAL DISTRICTS ELECTIONS IN 1832 &6 3 

APPOINTMENT NEW COURT HOUSE. 

The town of Poland, taken from Ellicott, and embra- 
cing the second township in the tenth range, was 
erected by the Legislature of 1832. 

Sherman, taken from Mina, and including the sec- 
ond township in the fourteenth range, was incorpora- 
ted the same year. 

By a law of March 22, 1832, the Board of Supervi- 
sors were required to raise the sum of S3,500 by tax, 
in three equal annual instalments, for the purpose of 
erecting a new Jail. Elijah Risley, Jr., Daniel 
Shearman, and Seth W. Holmes, were appointed 
commissioners to superintend the work. Under this 
act the present structure of brick, sixty feet in length 
by thirty-five in breadth, two stories high, was built. 
It is a well constructed and substantial edifice, safe, 
and well adapted to the uses for which it was designed. 
It contains sixteen cells, of massive hewn stone, im- 



106 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Buffalo & Erie R. R. Company. Election in 1832. 

pervious alike to assaults from without, or pent up 
knavery within. 

An act to incorporate the Mayville and Portland 
Rail Road Compan}'-, was passed at the same session, 
with a capital of $1 50,000. It was intended by means 
of this incorporation, to construct a Rail Road from 
Portland Harbor to the head of Chautauque Lake at 
the village of Mayville. The designs of the projec- 
tors of this improvement were never carried into exe- 
cution, and the passage from one point to the other is 
still labored and slow over the high lands which sep- 
arate them. 

The Buifalo and Erie Rail Road Company was in- 
corporated during the same session. This company 
was allowed four years to commence operations, and 
ten in which to complete the work. The capital 
stock was fixed at $650,000, and the charier extended 
fifty years. Beyond a survey and location of the route 
no steps towards its construction were ever taken. 

The congressional districts were re-organised upon 
the basis of the United States census of 1830. In 
the new apportionment, the counties of Cattaraugus 
and Chautauque constituted the 31st district, and be- 
came entitled to elect one member. Abner Hazel- 
tine, was elected to represent the district in the Con- 
gress of the United States, over Alson Leavenworth, 
of Cattaraugus County, by a majority of 1580. The 
majority for Granger, for Governor, over Marcy, in 



OF CHADTAUqUE COUNTY. }^^ 

Election in 1833. New Court House. Loan. 



this County, was 1736, being the largest majority that 
had ever been given at a contested election. Alvin 
Plumb, and Nathaniel Gray, were elected to the As- 
sembly, over Robertson Whiteside, and Albert H» 
Camp. 

In 1833, Thomas A. Osborne, and James Hall, the 
candidates of the Jackson party, were elected to the 
Assembly, over Waterman Ellsworth, and Austin 
Smith, the candidates of the party who had outnum- 
bered their opponents by more than 1700 votes the 
previous year. The successful candidates were main- 
ly indebted to the apathy and indifference of their op- 
ponents for their success, as the vote they received 
was but a trifls heavier than the candidates of the same 
party received in 1832. 

Elial T. Foote, was re-appointed First Judge of the 
County Courts. This was his third appointment to 
the same office. 

The Board of Supervisors were required, by a law 
passed in February, 1834, to cause the sum of $5,000^ 
to be raised by tax upon the inhabitants, in instalments 
in future years, to reimburse a loan which the Treas- 
urer of the County was authorised to make, for the 
purpose of building a new Court House. Commis- 
sioners were appointed to superintend the work. In 
April of the same year, the Comptroller of the State 
was authorised to loan to the County Treasurer the 
sum of $5,000, upon his bond, conditioned that the 



^l08 'HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Additional Loan. Go'St of Jail, 

same should be refunded in instalments of $1000 each, 
"with annual interest. The loan was obtained, and 
the work progressed. 

The sum of $5000 was found to be inadequate to 
the accomplishment of the intended object, and the 
additional sum of $4000 was required to be raised the 
succeeding year to complete the work. This sum 
was obtained in the same manner as before, and the 
result is, after the expenditure of $9000, the erection 
and completion of one of the most substantial, com- 
modious, and elegant structures of the kind in West- 
ern New-York, that does credit to the County, and is 
the just pride of her citizens. 

As with the Court House, so it was found to be with 
the Jail ; the sum intended to be laid out in building,' 
was insufficient to complete it, and the additional sum 
of $1,500 was raised and expended upon it, making 
in the aggregate the sum of $5000. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTr. 109^ 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

TRIAL OF DAMON FOR MURDER ELECTION IN 1834—*.. 

APPOINTMENTS IN THE SA.ME YEAR CENSUS OF 

1835 — SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES INSTITUTED 

STATISTICS OF SCHOOLS — ELCTION IN 1835 — AP- 
POINTMENTS. 

On the 24th of April, 1834, Joseph Damon committed 
murder upon the person of his wife, in the town of 
Pomfret, for which he afterward sufTered the extreme 
penalty of the law. He was tried at a court of Oyer 
and Terminer held at Mayvilie in September of the 
Bame year, and convicted. Exceptions were taken to 
the opinion of the court upon some points of practice 
which arose on the trial, and reviewed by the Supreme 
Court on the application of the counsel on behalf of 
the prisoner. Sentence of death was pronounced at 
the Oyer and Terminer in March, 1835, and the 15th 
day of May following, appointed for his execution. 
He was executed at the time appointed, in the presence 
of a large concourse of spectators, who had assembled 
to witness the melancholy scene. 

In 1832, the Anti-Masons and Nq,tional Republi- 
cans, became virtually united under the name of 
Whigs. At the election in 1834, they showed a 



110 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Election in 1834. Appointments. Census of 1835, 

Strong front, and elected their candidates by a major- 
ity of about 1,500. Abner Hazeltine was re-elected 
to Congress, over Oliver Lee ; William Sexton, 
Sheriff, over Daniel B. Parsons ; George W. Tew, 
County Clerk, over Norman Kibbe ; and John Wood- 
ward, Jr., and Orren McCluer, to the Assembly, over 
Joseph Wait, and John Z. Saxton. Benjamin Wal- 
worth, and Artemas Hearick, were re-appointed 
Judges, by the Governor and Senate, and Samuel A. 
Brown, District Attorney, by the County Court. 

The census of the State was again taken in 1835, 
and the returns for this County exhibited a population 
of 44,869, being an increase of 10,212 in five years. 
The number of towns had increased to 24, the same 
as at present. 

In April of the same year, an act was passed, 
which, although applicable to the whole State, was 
the germ of that beneficent system that has placed 
the literature of the age in the hands of the entire 
people of this, in common with the other counties. 
It authorized the raising of a sum of money in each 
school district, to be expended in procuring books for 
the use of the inhabitants. The same act provided 
for the gradual enlargement of the fund, and an ac- 
cumulation of books. Subsequent provisions have 
rendered the fund thus raised available for practical 
good, by adding a portion of the interest accruing 
fiom the surplus revenues of the United States, de- 



or CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. Ill 

"^ School Libraries. School Statistics in 1844. 

posited with the States. School District Libraries ■ 
have thus become objects of profit and a just pride to 
all. The choicest productions in literature and 
science are placed in the hands of every person who 
has a taste for reading-, or an incling^tion to profit by 
the intellectual labors of others. 

In the 24 towns of which this county is composed, 
there were on the first day of July, 1844, 315 school 
districts, in which, during the year preceding, there 
had been taught an average of eight and a half 
month's school in each. 

The district libraries contained 26,475 volumes, in 
general of the choicest works that issued from the 
public press. Of the public money received and ap- 
plied for teacher's wages, the amount was Si 0,389 18, 
and for library money the sum of ^2,180 53, during 
the same period. Besides the amount of public 
money received and applied for the payment of 
teacher's wages, the sum of of $8,049 29, in addition, 
was contributed by the districts to that object. The 
whole number of children taught in the common 
schools of the County, was 18,272 ; and of these be- 
tween the ages of 5 and 16 years, the number was 
14,704. Of the teachers employed jn the winter, 166 
were males, and 34 females ; in summer, 11 males, 
and 156 females. 

This brief view of the operations of the school sys- 
tem, which is a distinguishing characteristic of our 



112 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

School System. Election in 1835. 

institutions, is most gratifying to the friends of popu' 
lar education. The great mass of the people are im- 
bibing sentiments, which will make them wiser and 
better citizens, and preserve for our State the char- 
acter among hep sisters of the great confederacy, 
which she already sustains — the " Empire State" of 
the American Union. 

At the election in 1835, great apathy prevailed 
throughout the entire State. In the Eighth Senate 
District, Chauncey J. Fox, who was the Whig can- 
didate for Senator, was elected over Benjamin Wal- 
worth, by a small majority. In this County, the 
latter received a majority of seven votes. Richard 
P. Marvin, and Benjamin Douglass, were the Whig 
candidates for members of Assembly, against Thomas 
B. Campbell, and Bela Tracy. Messrs. Marvin and 
Campbell were elected. William Smith, Jr., was 
re-appointed Surrogate, and Jared Freeman, Judge 
of the County Courts. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 113 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

SE^'ATE DISTRICTS — MEMBERS OF ASSEMBIiY MU- 
TUAL INSURANCE COMPANY INCORPORATED WEST- 
FIELD AND NETTLE HILL TURNPIKE COMPANY 

i:9C0RP0RATED BUFFALO AND ERIE RAIL ROAD 

COMPANY HOLLAND COMPANY FIELD NOTES 

CASADAGA RAIL ROAD COMPANY INCORPORATED 

FREDONIA AND VAN BUREN HARBOR RAIL ROAD COM- 
PANY INCORPORATED ELECTION IN 1836. 

Upon the basis of the census of the preceding year, 
the Legislature of 1836 proceeded to re-organise the 
Senate Districts, and re-apportion the members of 
Assembly among tli'e several counties. The Eighth 
Senate District was ma?^*1X)'"consist of the counties 
of Chautauque, Erie, GeneseeyMonroe, Orleans, and 
Niagara. Wyoming, which has since been erected 
from Genesee, was also included. This County then 
became entitled to choose three members of As- 
sembly. 

The Chautauque County Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany was incorporated during the same session, with 
the privileges usually conferred upon institutions of 
the kind. Its operations are carried on in the village 
of Fredonia, and the charter is limited to the term of 
twenty years. It was organized and commenced 
business soon after the passage of the act, and has con- 

G 



114 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Turr.pike Companies. Field Nofes. 

tinued its business with ordinary success to the pres- 
ent time. 

The Westfield and Nettle Hill Turnpike Company 
was incorporated at the same time, with a capital of 
Si 0,000, for the purpose of constructing a turnpike 
road between the places named, both being within 
the town of Westfield. They w^ere authorised to take 
tolls upon their road when completed, and to take 
and hold real estate for the purposes of the incorpora- 
tion. Like many other projected improvements, it 
was suffered to sleep in silence, and will soczi pass in- 
to forgetfulness. 

The time for commencing operations on the Buffalo 
and Erie Rail Ptoad was extended by the Legislature 
for two years, and new.commissioners were appointed 
to take up subscriptions to the stock. Nothing was 
done however, towards constructing the road, and the 
charter was finally permitted to expire. 

The Supervisors of the counties included in the 
Holland Purchase, were authorised by the Legislature 
of 1836, to obtain, and prepare for record, such field 
notes, maps, books, and other statistical information 
as might be of value, from any of the offices of the 
Holland Land Company, which the local agents would 
consent to furnish, which were to be delivered to the 
Clerk of the County to which they related, whose du- 
ty it was, to make a record of them, or put them on 
file in his office. Copies of these papers, properly 



OF CHAIITAUQ,UE COUNTY. 115 

Casadaga Rail Road Company Incorporated. 

uuthenticated, were declared to be evidence of the 
facts they contained, in the same manner as the orig- 
inals. Under this act, the field notes of the original 
surveys of this County were transcribed, authentica- 
ted, and deposited in the office of the Clerk. 

In anticipation that the New-York and Erie Rail 
Road would be constructed, arid that it would pass 
along the valley of the Casadaga Creek, application 
was made to the Legislature, and a charter granted to 
a company, who were authorised to construct a rail 
road from a point near the junction of the Casadaga 
Creek and Chautauque outlet, upon the line of the 
New- York and Erie Rail Road, through the village of 
Jamestown, and westwardly through the southwest- 
ern towns, to the western boundaries of the State, in 
the direction of Erie in the State of Pennsylvania. 
It was intended to connect the latter place with the 
city of New-York, by means of this branch road, 
which was to have been connected with a similar 
work in Pennsylvania, extending from the State line 
to Erie Harbor in the latter State. The capital stock 
was ^250,000, and the time of its commencement lim- 
ited to two years, and that of its completion to four 
years. 

A company was also chartered for the purpose of 
constructing a rail road from the village of Fredonia 
to Van Buren Harbor on Lake Erie, with a capital 
stock of 812,000. 



116 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Election in 1836. 

The charters of both these roads, like many others 
granted near the same period, were suffered to expire, 
without any action on the part of the companies, to- 
Avards the construction of the contemplated works. 

At the election in November, 1836, Richard P. 
Marvin, was elected a. member of the Congress of the 
United States, over Oliver Lee, the candidate of the 
Democratic party. The vote in this County was 
. ?)957 for the former, and 2881 for the latter ; givinga 
majority of 107G votes.. 

A.lvin Plumb, Calvin Rumsey, and William Wilcoy, 
were elected to the Assembly, over Thomas B, Camp 
bell, James Hall, and Daniel B, Parsons.. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTT. Il7 

CHAPTER XXV. 

* GENESEE tariff' — PUBLIC MEETING — LAND OFFICE 

DEMOLISHED — HOLLAND COMPANY'S SALE LAND 

OFF.ICE RE-OPENED AT WESTFIELD U. S. LOAN. 

Is 1835 the Holland Land Company contracted their 
unsold lands, with the outstanding and expired con- 
tracts to Trumbull Cary and others of Batavia. A 
like sale had been made of their lands in Genesee 
County, and it was] understood that such of the settlers 
as could not pay for, and take titles to their farms, and 
would be under the necessity of renewing their con- 
tracts, would be required to pay a certain sum per 
acre in addition to the original, contract price and an- 
nual interest, as a consideration for forbearance.— 
This exaction on the part of the new company was 
denominated the " Genesee Tariff." It soon became 
generally known that the principles of this Tarift' 
were to be applied to the settlers in Chautauqua 
County, which at once created great excitement and 
alarm. A public meeting was held at the Court 
House, in the month of December, to take the subject 
into consideration. The information respecting the 
intentions of the new proprietors, was too vague to 
form the basis of any definite action upon the subject. 
A committee of citizens was appointed, with instruc- 
tions to proceed to Batavia, tlie residence of the pro- 
prietors, to confer with, and obtain some reliable in- 
formation from them, in relation of th eir intentions 



118 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



Public Meeting. Exaction of Compound Interest. 

respecting the people of this County. The meeting- 
then adjourned to the 8th of January, to enable the 
committee to perform the duties of their appointment, 
and to report thereon. They were unable to obtain 
any satisfactory or definite information on the subject 
— but were given to understand that the terms which 
the new proprietors intended to exact, would be made 
loiown through their local agent at Mayville on the 
first of January. On re-assembling on the 8th, the 
interest of the whole population seemed to be aroused, 
and the meeting was much more numerously attended 
than before. The committee reported the result of 
their mission to Batavi^, whereupon another commit- 
tee was immediately appointed to confer with the lo- 
cal agent at Mayville. The information received from 
him was definite, though very unsatisfactory. It was 
no less than the exaction of principal and compound 
interest from all those who should immediately pay 
for, and take titles to their lands. From such as 
should ask an extension of time for payment, the sum 
of four dollars would be exacted where but three dol- 
lars was due ; in other words, in cases where three 
dollars per acre would be found due upon a contract, 
four dollars would be required, as the condition upon 
which a contract would be renewed, and the time for 
payment extended ; and in the same proportion for a 
greater or less sum. The report by the committee, of 
ihe answers of the agent, threw the meeting into* 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 119 

Great Excitement. 

great excitement, which it was very diiRcult to re- 
strain. Spirited resolutions were adopted, declaring 
in the most emphatic terms that the exactions were 
exhorbiant and unjust, and ought not and would not 
be submitted to on any account. The meeting then 
adjourned. 

The excesses which followed, were such as might 
have been anticipated. The state of feeling between 
the settlers and the owners and their agents, was fa^ 
from being the most friendly ; and the recent devel- 
opement of the intentions of the latter, served to ex- 
asperate rather than allay them. The early settlers 
had braved a wilderness, and wrought for themselves 
homes, that only extreme toil, privation, and hardship 
could accompfish. They had rallied at the call of 
danger, and shed their blood, and perilled their lives, 
in defence of the soil. The owners had grown weal- 
thy by the industry of the settlers, and their agents 
rolled in fatness ; and to impose such terms, at a 
time, and under such circumstances, as in a majority 
of instances, would deprive the settlers of their farms, 
and compel them to abandon their possessions, while 
a course of fair dealing, and equitable requirements on 
the part of the owners, would enable them, after a 
few more years of toil, to call the soil on which the 
fire and vigor of their manhood had been expended 
their own, was more than they would submit to or 
endure. 



1^0 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Land Office at Mayville Demolished. 

On the 6th of February, a mass of people, mostly 
from the interior towns, assembled at Barnhart's Inn, 
about two miles easterly of May\-ille, at four o'clock 
in the afternoon. They were armed with axes, crow- 
bars, and such other implements as the nature of their 
enterprise would be likely to require. After a formal 
organization, and the choice of leaders, they proceed- 
ed to Mayville, where they arrived at eight o'clock in 
the evening. Their first movement was to surround 
the land office, and demolish that part which was built 
of wood. This was very readily accomplished.— 
Their efforts were then directed to the strong stone 
vault, which contained a large amount of valuable 
books and papers, belonging to the Holland Compa- 
ny. Entrance to this was not so easily effected. 
After numerous and well directed efforts, the stone 
structure gave way, and the contents of the vault 
seized and carried to Barnhart's, and there burned in 
the public highway ; after which the assembly dis- 
persed. 

From that time all intercourse between the Holland 
Company or their agents, and the settlers, ceased un- 
til 1838, when a sale of the interests of the former to 
Messrs. Duer, Morrison, and Seward, before men- 
tioned, was effected ; since which an office has been 
opened in the village of Westfield, and the business 
of selling lands, renewing contracts, and conveying 
titles, has proceeded undisturbed by any popular out- 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 121 



United States Loan. 

break or dissatisfaction, though upon terms at once 
just both to the owners and settlers. 

In April, 1837, a law was passed, authorising the 
loaning the surplus revenues of the United States, 
which had been deposited with the several States un- 
der a law of Congress. This County received ^110,- 
000 as its proportionate share, which was loaned out 
by commissioners appointed for that purpose, to the 
inhabitants upon bonds and mortgages, for five years, 
on interest, payable annually, on tho first Tuesday in 
October in each year. The borrov/ers were Kable to 
refund the amount borrowed, the one-half after a no- 
tice of one year, and the remainder on a notice of two 
years. No difficulty was found in investing the 
whole amount in safe hands, and upon ample security, 
nor would there have been, had the amount been macli 
larger. 

As the relations between the successors cf tho 
Holland Company and the settlers, sopn after, as- 
sumed a more friendly aspect, the distribution of this 
sum among the people of the County so many of whom 
were in debt for their lands, afforded them substantial 
and timely relief ; & enabled many to obtain titles to 
their farms, who could not otherwise have done so. 
Subsequent legislation has so far modified the act un- 
der which these loans were made, that none of tho 
principal sum has yet been called for, but still remain!? 
in the hands of the people. 



1^2 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

FREDONIA AND JAMESTOWN ROAD SURVEY — DUNKIRK 
MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY INCORPORATED DUN- 
KIRK VILLAGE INCORPORATED LAND SPECULA- 
TIONS — AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ORGANIZED — E. 
RISLEY& CO. SEEDSMEN — ELECTION AND APPOINT- 
MENTS IN 1837. 
In April, 1837, an act was passed appointing commis- 
sioners, and authorizing the survey of a road from 
Fredonia to Jamestown, through the valley of the 
Casadaga Creek. The duties of the commissioners 
were discharged, but the provisions for assessing the 
expenses upon the several towns through which it 
was laid, met with many popular objections, and the 
project was abandoned. 

In 1840, another board of commissioners were ap- 
pointed in a similar manner, to survey and lay out a 
road from near Work's mills in Ellicott through the 
Connewango valley to the Pennsylvania line in the 
town of Carroll. It was intended to connect this 
road with that which had been laid from Fredonia to 
Jamestown, through the valley of the Casadaga.— 
Both projects shared the same fate. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 123^ 

Marine Insurance Company. Dunkirk Incorporated. 

The Dunkirk Marine Insurance Company was in- 
corporated by the Legislature of 1837, with powers to 
effect insurances upon vessels and goods upon the 
navigable waters of this and the adjoining States and 
Territories, and also upon the inland transportation of 
goods, by land and water. No steps were taken to 
carry out the provisions of the act, that have come to 
the knowledge of the compiler ; and it was suffered 
to expire. 

The village of Dunkirk v/as incorporated the same 
year, with the powers and privileges usually conferr- 
ed upon bodies corporate of a similar kind. 

The speculations in real estate, v/hich were at their 
hight during this period, and which have resulted in 
such incalculable injury to the interests of the v/hole 
people, affected the village of Dunkirk more serious- 
ly than any other point in the County. The termi- 
nation of the New-York and Erie Rail Road at this 
place, pointed it out to those most deeply affected 
with the contagion, as a spot on which operations of 
the kind might be carried on for a while at least with 
success. The rage for corner lots, and eligible sites, 
was rife, and ran to so high a pitch, that men of all 
pursuits — farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, 
and even minis'ters of the gospel, embarked upon the 
wild sea, without rudder or ballast, with nothing to 
propel them but a whirlwind, that soon scattered them 
in broken fragments upon a lee shore. 



1-24 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ^ 

Agricultural Society Organised. 

The general result has been a stagnation of trade, 
depreciation in the prices of all kinds of property, the 
ruin and entire prostration of many families who had 
been in prosperous circumstancesj and on the high 
road to competence. and even independence, and the 
hopeless bankruptcy of thousands of others. Though 
affected to a greater degree, this village v^ras not alone 
in its madness. Most of the other villages were 
more or less influenced by the mania that swept over 
the land, and suffered in proportion to the extent of 
their operations. 

The Chautauque County Agricultural Society was 
formed in 1837. A society had been formed many 
3'ears ago, in 1820 or thereabouts, of which Zattu 
Gushing wss President. It was limited in its opera- 
tions, wanting the encouragement and patronage of 
the State, and soon went down. It was however the 
germ of the present society. 

A meeting was held at the Court House in October, 
1836, to take the subject of its re-organization into 
consideration, which was well attended, and a com- 
mendable spirit prevailed. 

It was adjourned to the 4th day of January follow- 
ing, when the present society, which is effecting so 
much in the character of the agricultirral pursuits of 
our people, and in the reputation of the county abroad 
for the quantity and excellence of her productions, 
was organized. Officers are chosen annually, and 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTT. 125' 

Election and Appointments in 1837, 

fairs held at various points, for the exhibition of arti- 
cles of produce and manufacture. Legislative aid. 
which was granted to the several counties in 1841, 
was participated in by this County, and the sum of 
$143 received by the society, for the purpose of pro- 
moting agriculture and the household arts. 

In connection with this subject, allusion to the ope- 
rations of Messrs. E. Risley, & Co., of Fredonia, in 
the business of seedsmen, may not be inappropriate. 

TKey commenced in 1834 with but six acres of 
land, and put up seven hundred boxes of seeds for 
market. Their operations have since been con- 
stantly increasing, until they now cultivate near 
sixty acres, and put up for market ten thousand 
boxes of seeds. It is found to be a lu6rative business, 
and brings amply compensating returns for their in- 
vestments. 

At. the annual election in 1837, Judson Southland 
v/as chosen Sheriff, over John Z. Saxton, by 959 
majority ; George W. Tew, County Clerk, over 
Joshua R. Babcock, by 1136 majority ; and George 
A. French, Abner Lewis, and Thomas J. Allen, to 
the Assembly, over Otis Skinner, Gideon Evans, and 
Pearson Crosby. 

Thomas B. Campbell was re-appointed, and Thomas 
A. Osborne appointed. Judges of the County Courts,. 



126 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

0E:>5^ERAL BANKING LAW — BANK OF SILVER CREEK — 

ELECTION IN 1838 — APPOINTMENTS CONTEST 

FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY TREASURER ITS RE- 
SULT. 

The general act, authorizing the business of banking 
was passed in 1838. But one institution has been or- 
ganized under it in this County. The Bank of Silver 
Greek, located at the village of the same name, with 
a capital of $100,000, was established, under the aus- 
pices of Oliver Lee, who was the principal proprietor 
and its first President, and Chauncey Smith, Cashier. 
George W. Tew afterwards succeeded to the office of 
Cashier, and subsequently to that of President, which 
he now holds. The office of Cashier has been sup- 
plied by the appointment of Clark C. Swift. It has 
been in successful operation since its organization in 
1839. 

At the election in November, 1 838, Gov. Seward 
receives of the votes cast in this County a majority 
of 1 909, over Gov. Marcy. Richard P. Marvin was 
re-elected to the Congress of the United States, over 
Charles H. S. Williams. His majority in this Coun- 
ty was 1755. Abner Lewis, Waterman Ellsworth, 
and Timothy Judson, were elected to the Assembly, 
over Rodney B. Smith, Elias Clark, and Ethan Sawin. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTY. 127 

Contest for Treasurer. 

Elial T. Foote was re-appointed First Judge by the 
Governor and Senate, and Joseph Wait, District At- 
torney, by the County Court. 

An incident occurred in the autumn of 1838, which 
for its novelty, and the public interest wliich it excit- 
ed, may claim a notice somewhat extended. 

It will be recollected that several County appoint- 
ments had been conferred upon the boards of Super- 
visors and Judges of the County Courts, among which 
was that of Treasurer. The board of Supervisors for 
this County, which assembled in November, poss'essed 
a decided majority of Whig members. During their 
annual session, they adopted a resolution, requesting 
the Judges, who were of the opposite political par- 
ty, to assemble with them in joint meeting, to take 
into consideration the propriety of removing Dr. Up- 
ham, the County Treasurer, from office. The Judges 
declined to comply with the request, as the incum- 
bent was of the same political party with themselves. 
A subsequent joint meeting was held for the purpose 
of comparing nominations for other officers, the ap- 
pointment to which had been conferred upon them. — 
After the organization of the joint meeting by the 
appointment of a chairman, a motion was made to re- 
move the Treasurer from office. As soon as the 
motion was made, the Judges in a body started to 
leave the room, remarking that they had not assem- 
bled in joint meeting with the Supervisors for that 



128 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Contest for Treasurer. 

purpose. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the 
Judges, a ballot was taken on the question of remo- 
val, and carried. The Judges did not participate in, 
n%r were they present, during these proceedings. 
The Judges soon afterwards again appeared, for the 
purpose of completing the business on which they at 
first assembled. While so engaged, a notice to the 
Judges was read by the Clerk of the board of Super- 
visors, informing them that the office of County Treas- 
m-er was vacant, and inviting them to assemble in 
joint meeting in the afternoon to supply the vacancy. 
While the Clerk was reading this notice, the Judges 
in a body again left the room. The joint meeting 
was then dissolved, and the board of Supervisors 
again organized, and as such nominated Robertson 
Whiteside as Treasurer, to supply the vacancy occa- 
F;ioned by the removal of Dr. Upham. In the after- 
noon the Judges again assembled in joint meeting 
with the Supervisors, to complete the appointments 
which had been left unfinished in the morning. Up- 
on its completion, a motion was made and carried 
that they proceed to appoint a Treasurer, and the 
Clerk of the joint meeting announced the candidate 
on the part of the Supervisors. They were informed 
by the Judges, that they had made no nomination, 
that they had not assembled for any such purpose, 
and declined to participate in the proceedings for 
making an appointment. 



129 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Contest for Treasurer. 

A ballot was taken, and Mr. Whiteside declared 
appointed. When the balloting was about to com- 
mence, the Judges again left the room and did not 
return. A certificate of the appointment of Mr. 
Whiteside was made out, and signed by the chair- 
man of the board of Supervisors, and presented to the 
Judges, who refused to sign it. It was then filed in 
the proper office, with the official bond of the newly 
appointed Treasurer, who took the oath of office and 
entered upon the discharge of its duties. 

Dr. Uphara soon after, instituted proceedings in the 
Supreme Court, for the purpose of contesting the 
right of Mr. Whiteside to the office, which it was al- 
leged he had usurped without the authority of law. 
The questions growing out of the facts before stated, 
which involved the regularity of the proceedings, in 
the removal and appointment of the contending par- 
ties, were tried at the Circuit Court in this County in 
July, 1839, before Judge Dayton. 

The jury, under the direction of the court, and 
by the agreement of the counsel for the respective 
parties, found a special verdict, embracing the facts 
in the case. The questions in controversy were 
argued before the Supreme Court, at Albany, in 
January, 1840, and judgment rendered in favor of 
Dr. Upham, which established the illegality of 
his removal and the appointment of Mr. White- 
side, 



OF CUAUTAUqUE C0UNT7. 130 

Contest for Treasurer. 



The latter, not content with the decision of the Su- 
preme Court, removed the proceedings to the Court 
for the Correction of Errors — the highest tribunal 
before which it could be brought. It was again ar- 
gued in the latter Court, and in December, 1842, the 
decision of the Supreme Court reversed, thereby es- 
tablishing the claim of Mr. Whiteside to the office of 
Treasurer. 

In consequence of this contest, respecting the office 
of Treasurer, both claimants exercising- in part the 
duties of the office, the Legislature of 1839, to prevent 
the inconvenience and embarrassment, which had 
already resulted, and was still further likely to result, 
and to facilitate the public business to be done through 
that office, passed an act requiring the County Clerk 
to receive from the Treasurer of the State the moneys 
appropriated to this County for the support of schools, 
and to distribute it, as Treasurer, to the several towns. 
At the subsequent session, another act was passed, 
constituting George W. Tew, tlien Clerk of the 
County, Treasurer, and empowering him to perform 
all acts that a Treasurer of the County would do, un- 
til the next meeting of the board of Supervisors. 

In order effectually to prevent the recurrence of 
similar difficulties, an act was passed in 1840, repeal- 
ing the law under v/hich the County Judges and 
board of Supervisors were associated, in maldng ap- 
pointments. 



ISrl HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

H-OLLAND COMPANY TITLE PAPERS &C. TO BE DEPOS- 
ITED SURVEY OF CONNEWANGO CANAL NO AP- 
POINTMENTS ELECTION IN 1839 — CENSUS OF 1840 

MILITIA REFORM ELECTION OF 1840 APPOINT- 
MENTS. 

The Legislature of 1839, directed the Secretary of 
S-tate to request and receive from the agent of the 
Holland Land Company, the original title papers of 
the tract of land formerly owned by them, with the 
original field notes, books, surveys, and maps made by 
surveyors and agents employed by the company, to 
be deposited in his office for safe keeping. Copies of 
these original documents, when properly certified by 
the Secretary of State, under his seal of office, were 
declared to be evidence of the facts which they con- 
tained, in the same manner and to the same extent as 
the originals themselves. Provision was also made 
for depositing and recording in the offices of the sev- 
eral County Clerks of the counties in which the lands 
# to be affected thereby were located, transcripts of 
these title papers, field books, surveys and maps, for 
the purpose of placing within the reach of every per- 
son whose title could in any way be affected by them, 
the evidences of its validity. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNXr. 152 

Connewango Canal. No Appointments. 

The canal commissioners were directed by the 
Legislature of the same year, to cause a survey of a 
canal route from the Erie canal near Buifalo, to the 
State line of Pennsylvania, through the valley of the 
Connewango Creek. This was but a repetition of 
the service that had been performed in 1829, and 
seemed to be but an additional expenditure of the 
public moneys without any intention on the part of 
the public authorities to carry out the project. If 
these surveys are henceforth never to be acted upon^ 
they have at least established the practicability of a 
v/ater communication between the points mentioned, 
however seriously that position may have been pre- 
vi^usly controverted. 

During 1839 no appointments were made by the 
Governor and Senate for this County, excepting such 
as were indispensable to the public welfare, owing to 
the diiierence in political sentiment of the two branch- 
es of the appointing power. Gov. Seward being a. 
V/hig, nominated his friends for office, and a majority 
of the vSenate being politically opposed, refused to 
confirm his appointments. 

The result was, that a large number of County 
Judges, and other officers whose appointment had 
been conferred upon the Governor and Senate, held 
over after the expiration of their respective terms 
of office, as well in this, as in most of the other 
counties of the State. 



iSS HISTORICAL SKETCHKS 

Election in 1839. Census of 1840. 

At the election in November, Abram Dixon was 
elected to the Senate from the Eighth District. Ha 
was the first incumbent of that office who was a res- 
ident of this County, since the election of Judge Birds- 
all in 1832, The vote in this County for Senator, 
was — for Dixon 3815; for Isaac R. Elwood the dem- 
ocratic candidate 2478; showing a majority of 1337. 
■George A. French, Odin Benedict, and William Rice, 
were elected to the Assembly, over Thomas B. Camp- 
bell, James Hall, and Jonathan Patterson. 

The census was again taken under the authority 
of the United States in 1840, and the population of 
"this County found to be 47,551; being an increase of 
only 2672 in five years« The accuracy of this enu- 
meration has frequently been questioned; principally 
on the ground that the difference in the increase from 
1830 to 1835, and from the latter period to 1840, was 
30 wide as apparently to preclude the possibility of 
the correctness of the latter. There are facts how- 
ever, which tend to show that that enumeration was 
probably much nearer the truth than has been silp- 
posed. The emigration to the west from this Coun- 
ty has been large, and it is believed much larger than 
the accession to our numbers in agricultural sections^ 
The pursuits of the agricultural population have ten- 
ded to diminish rather than increase their numbers. 
The accumulation of real estate in the hands of those 
engaged in grazing, has materially diminished the 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNT r. 134' 

Emigration. Census Statistics. Reforms. 

number of those who held small tracts of land, while 
the latter have sought wider, and more fertile fields in 
the valley of the Mississippi. 

According to that enumeration, there were of the 
citizens of this County, 12,195 engaged in agricultu- 
ral pursuits; 2088 in trades and manufactures; 341 in 
the learned professions; 344 in commerce; and 104 
in navigating the ocean, lakes, rivers, and canals of 
this State. The general prosperity of the County 
continued to be highly flattering, and the fruits of 
productive industry materially increased. 

Among the reforms which followed the change of 
the administration of the State government, was a 
law in 1840 reducing militia fines ; the effect of which 
was, in a great measure to dispense with the militia 
parades, which are but ridiculous farces at best, and 
as disciplinary exercises, worse than useless. 

The election of 1840, will be remembered as the 
most exciting political contest, probably that has 
ever been known in the country. The excitemerA 
pervaded this County in an eminent degree. All men 
of all parties participated actively in the campaign: 
and the gentler sex lent their assistance and counte- 
nance on numerous occasions, in aid of the struggle. 
Meetings, that beggar description in the numbers and 
enthusiasm of the people, were held at various points, 
until the whole population seemed carried away by 
the one all-absorbing subject of the Presidential elec- 



135 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Election in 1840. Appointments. ~ 

tion. The exertions of the rival parties brought out 
all the voters of every description, and the result in 
this County of the efforts of the successful party, as- 
tonished themselves. The Harrison electors received 
6985, and those for Van Biiren 3345 votes; being the 
largest vote ever cast by either party. The majority 
was 2640. The electoral vote of the " liberty party " 
was 23. Staley N. Clarke was elected to Congress, 
over Benjamin Chamberlain; Amos W. Muzzy, Sher- 
iff, over David McDonald; John G. Hinckley, Clerk, 
over George A. Greene; and George A. French, 
Robertson Whiteside, and Benjamin Douglass, to the 
Assembly, over Ira F. Gleason, Orsell Cook, and 
William Colville, Jr. Austin Smith v/as appointed 
Surrogate; and Elisha Ward, and John Chandler 
Judges of the County Courts, by the Governor and 
Senate. 



OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 136 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

STEAMBOATS WASHINGTON AND ERIE BURNED SILK 

CULTURE ENCOURAGED — ELECTION IN 1841 — AP- 
POINTMENTS — JAMESTOWN VILLAGE CHARTER 
AMENDED — EXEMPTION LAW OF 1842 CONGRES- 
SIONAL DISTRICTS — i ELECTION IN 1842. 

On the 14th of June, 1838, the steamboat Washing- 
ton in her downward trip to Buffalo, was burned 
while off Silver Creek, in this County, and about fifty 
of her passengers and crew perished. 

In three years afterward, the same portion of Lake 
Erie was the scene of one of the most appalling ca- 
lamities, that has ever been witnessed in American 
waters. On the 9th of August, 1841, the steamboat 
Erie, Capt. Titus, on her passage from Buffalo to 
Chicago, with a complement of nearly three hundred 
passengers, was burned in the night time, while op- 
posite this County. A severe storm had swept over 
the lake, swelling its waters into mountainous bil- 
lows, which, although the winds had abated, and the 
atmosphere become calm, had not subsided. 

The boat left her moorings at Buffalo, crowded 
with her living human freight, at 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon, and directed her course westward. She 
had proceeded about thirty-five miles, and when off 
Silver Creek, at 8 o'clock in the evening, an alarm of 
fire was given. 



tSt HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Burning of the Erie. Loss of Life. 

The consternation can be imagined, but cannot be 
described. A large portion of the passengers had 
retired to their berths in security, and many were en- 
joying the sweets of repose. The boat had then been 
recently painted and varnished, and the fire, which 
originated from the bursting of a vessel containing 
varnish, that had been placed over or near the fur- 
naces, spread over the entire boat, with inconceivable 
rapidity. The horror and anguish of the hundreds of 
helpless beings, surrounded by the darkness of night, 
and the restless billows of the lake ; and pursued by 
the raging element, from which there was no escape, 
was complete. The dreadful alternative of death by 
fire or water, was presented. About two hundred 
and forty perished in this direful calamity, four of 
Avhom were, or had recently been, residents of this 
County. Those who survived, by clinging to the 
burning wreck, or on pieces of furniture, boxes, 
Wood, or timber, after suffering every thing but death 
itself, were relieved at about 11 o'clock, by the ar- 
rival at the scene of the steamboat Dewitt Clinton, 
from which the flames were discovered, as she was 
passing up the lake, or by boats which had put out 
from the shore to their relief. The intelligence of 
this disaster, caused a thrill of horror throughout 
the country. 

An act was passed in 1841, to encourage the 
growth and manufacture of silk, by providing for the 



OF CHAUTAUQ,UE COUNTY. 138 

Silk Culture. Election in 1841, 

payment of a bounty of fifteen cents for every pound 
of cocoons raised in the County, and fifty cents for 
every pound of reeled silk, from cocoons raised in this 
State. Some attention had been paid to the subject 
of growing silk in this County in previous years. A 
small quantity is said to have been raised from the 
black mulberry, as early as 1827. The seed of the 
white or Italian mulberry was brought into the 
County for cultivation at about the same period ; and 
in 1834 the moms viulticaulis, or Chinese mulberry, 
procured from Long Island, was introduced. Soon 
after the introduction of the latter species into the 
United States, speculation was rife, in giving it an 
artificial value ; but this, like most other speculations, 
where a real value in the subject is wanting, resulted 
in a loss to a large portion of those who embarked in 
the traffic. In 1842 about one hundred pounds were 
raised in the County ; and public sentiment having 
become rational in relation to its practicability as a 
production of our soil, the business of silk growing 
has been hitherto gradually increasing. 

At the annual election in November, Rosseter P. 
Johnson, Austin Peirce, and Emory F. Warren were 
elected to the Assembly, over James Hall, John Mc- 
Whorter, and Suel H. Dickinson. Francis H. Rug- 
gles was appointed Judge of the County Courts, in 
place of John Chandler who resigned. David Mann 
was appointed District Attorney by the County Courts . 



139 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

New Exemption Law Passed. 

The act incorporating the village of Jamestown, 
passed in 1827, though well adapted to the size of the 
village, and the pursuits of its population at that 
period, was found inadequate to their wants, and was 
remodeled and amended in 1842, with important al- 
terations and improvements. 

The law to extend the exemption of household fur- 
niture, working tools, and team, from distreas for 
rent, and sale under executions, commonly known as 
the $150 exemption law, was passed at the regular 
session the same year. It was received with decided 
disapprobation by a large portion of the people, 
owing in some measure, to the retrospective effect, 
which it was supposed to have upon debts already 
contracted. It effected material changes in this sec- 
tion of the State, where so much business was done 
upon credit ; but was however acquiesced in, and the 
affairs of debtor and creditor adjusted to the rule hy 
which they were to be governed. Much of this dis- 
satisfaction would have been prevented, had the law 
itself contained a provision rendering it inapplicable 
to debts then contracted. The constitutionality of 
that feature of the law was early questioned, but a 
case for the decision of the Supreme Court did not 
arise until 1845. In the case alluded to, that tribunal 
declared what the Legislature should have done, that 
its provisions could not effect debts contracted before' 
its passage. 



OF chautAuque county. 140 

Congressional Districts. Mill Tax. Election in 1842- 

At the same session, the act to provide for paying 
the debt, and preserving- the Credit of the State, im- 
posing the mill tax, was passed. 

An extra session of the Legislature was held in 
August, to execute the law of Congress, by district- 
ing the State, for the election of members of Congress, 
upon the basis of the census of 1840. The 31st 
district, embracing the counties of Cattaraugus and 
Chautauque, was left as it had been for the ten pre- 
ceding years. Asher Tyler was elected to represent 
that district in the Congress of the United States. 

The vote for Governor, cast in this County at the 
election in 1842, was for Bradish, 5,070, for Bouck, 
2,226, and for Stewart, 67. 

Emory F. Warren was re-elected to the Assembly, 
with Odin Benedict, and Adolphus F. Morrison, over 
Woodley W. Chandler, Elijah Miller, and Erastus 
Holt. 



141 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



CHAPTER XXX. 

WESTFIELD CEMETERY ASSOCIATIOJN — HOLLAND COM- 
PANY'S FIELD NOTES, &;c. ELECTION IN 1843 . 

APPOINTMENTS POOR HOUSE SYSTEM APRIL 

COURT ELECTION IN 1844 ASSAULT UPON N. A.. 

LOWRY. 

The Westfield Cemetery Association was incorpora- 
ted in 1843. The plan of improving- and embellish- 
ing places of burial for the dead, has within a few 
yearsj received a due share of public attention. Im-. 
provemeats of this character, have, however, in.; 
the main, been conJfined to cities and large towns, or 
the old and oiore populous portions of the country.—^. 
The design is highly commendable, and can as well, 
and often better be effected in rural districts than in. 
more densely populated places. 

In executing the law of 1836, which provided for 
the preservation of the maps and field notes of the 
Holland Land Company's surveys, it was substantial- 
ly, though not strictly, complied with. To remedy 
the defect in proof?, which this non-compliance would 
occasion, alaAv was passed in 1843, rendering the pa- 
pers transcribed, as valid and effectual, as though 
there had been a literal compliance with the former 
art. 



OF CHAUTAUqUE COUXTY. 142 

Eleclion Contest in 1843. The Result. 

The action of political parties in this County, pre- 
ceding the November election in 1843, assumed a 
character at once novel and exciting. At the annual 
nominating convention of the Whig party in October, 
Charles J. Orton received the nomination for Sheriff 
and John G. Hinckley, the then incumbent, for re- 
election as County Clerk, after an active aud spirited 
canvass, over Orren McCluer, and Alvin Plumb. — 
The latter gentlemen had been candidates for these 
offices in 1840, but were defeated. 

The friends of Mr. Plumb, in a particular manner, 
were dissatisfied with the result of the doings of the 
convention; and claiming that he had been unfairly 
dealt with, determined to withhold their support from 
the ticket. The friends of Mr. McCluer entertained 
like feelings of dissatisfaction, though in a less intense 
degree. Samuel A. Brown, Timothy Judson, and 
Valorus Lake, were the candidates for the Assembly. 
To effect a defeat of this ticket, the friends of the de- 
feated candidates united with the democratic party in 
a call for, and the holding of, a County meeting, at 
which Messrs. McCluer and Plumb received the nom- 
ination for Sheriff and Clerk: and Elijah Waters, also 
a Whig, and Marcus Simons, and Forbes Johnson, 
Democrats, were nominated for the Assembly. The 
contest was bitter in the extreme. McCluer was 
elected Sherifi^ by a majority of 706 votes, over Orton. 
Wiseman C. Nichols, the candidate of the Liberty 



•"'^43 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Appoiruments. Poor Eouse System. Election in 1844, 

party received 218 votes. Plumb was elected Clerk, 
by a majority of 585, over Hinckley. William S. 
Hedges, the candidate of the Liberty party for Clerk, 
received 164 votes. 

The irregular Assembly ticket was elected entire. 
Thomas A. Osborne was appointed First Judge, 
and John M. Edson, Judge. 

Several counties, among which was Chautauque, 
were authorized by the Legislature of 1844, to restore 
the distinction between county and town poor, by a 
vote to that effect by the board of Supervisors at their 
annual meeting. The vote in that body in this 
County, was strongly adverse to the change ; the 
present system being deemed preferable to that of 
supporting the poor by towns. 

An additional term of the Court of Common Pleas 
was appointed, to be held on the first Monday in 
April in each year, at which no juries are summoned, 
and such business only is transacted, as can be done 
without their intervention. 

?■ The Clay electors received 5612 votes, to 3407 
for Polk, giving a majority for the former of 2205. 
The Birney ticket received 314 votes. Fillmore re- 
ceived a majority of 2125 over Wright, for Governor. 
Abner Lewis was elected to represent the 31st 
district in Congress, over Thomas B. Campbel '. 
Samuel A. Brown, Henry C. Frisbee, and Jeremiah 
^lann, were elected to the Assembly, over Horace 



OF CHAUTAUq UE COUNTY. 144 

Election in 1844. Appointments. N. A, Lowry. 

Allen, John I. Eacker, and George Goodrich. Caleb 
O. Daughaday was appointed Judge, and Orsell 
Cook, Surrogate, by the Governor and Senate, and 
David Mann re-appointed District Attorney by the 
County Court. 

On the 4th day of November, at a late hour in the 
evening, Nathaniel A. Lowry, a merchant residing in 
the village of Jamestown, was assaulted in a public 
street near his dwelling and stabbed in the side, with 
a knife, w'th the evident intention of producing 
death. His life was despaired of; but after remaining 
for some time in a highly critical state, at length, and 
contrary to the general expectation, recovered. Sus- 
picion fell upon Jeremiah C. Newman, who resided 
at Pine Grove, in the adjoining County of Warren in 
the State of Pennsylvania. He was arrested by the 
authorities cf that State, examined upon the charges, 
arid held to answer. He was afterwards delivered to 
the authorities of this County, on a requisition from 
the Governor, brought here, and underwent a second 
examination. He was again held to answer, and 
committed to prison. At the earliest opportunity he 
was indicted, and tried at the Chautauque Oyer and 
Terminer in January, 1846, convicted, and sen- 
tenced to the State's i^rison for five years and three 
months. 

The occurrence excited great public interest, which 
continued unabated, down to the period of the trial. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



145 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

TOWN OF ELLICOTT ENLARGED CONVENTION TO 

AMEND THK CONSTITUTION EXCISE LAW CEN- 
SUS OF 1845 — ELECTION AND APPOINTMENTS IX 

1845 AND 1846. 
The boundaries of the town of Ellicott were enlarged 
by the Legislature of 1845, by taking nine lots from 
Busti, and annexing them to the formor. They now 
constitute the southwest portion of the town of Elli- 
cott lying west and south of the Chautauque outlet, 
above the village of Jamestown. 

Efforts had been made for several preceding years 
to perfect legislative amendments to the Constitution 
of this State, in important particulars, but without 
success. Public sentiment tended strongly in favor 
of a Convention to revise that instrument; and the 
Legislature of 1845 passed an act submitting to the 
people at the annual election in November, the pre- 
liminary question, whether a convention should, or 
.**hould not be called. 



146 OF CHAUTAUqUE COUNTT. 

Call for a State Convention. Ne*'/ Excise Lavvf. 



The majority in favor of a convention was large 
and decided. The same act provided for holding an 
election for the choice of delegates to the convention 
on the last Tues-lay in April, 1846. The several 
counties are entitled to choose the same number of 
delegates as they have members in the Assembly. 
The first Monday of June, 1846, is fixed as the day 
on which the convention is to assemble at the Capitol 
in Albany. The amendments to be agreed upon by 
the convention, are to be submitted to the people of 
the State for their adoption or rejection at the elec- 
tion in November of the same year, and such of them 
as shall be adopted to take effect on the first day of 
January, 1847. 

At the same session, a law was passed providing 
for a special election to be held on the Tuesday next 
preceding the first Monday in May, 1846, in each 
town for the purpose of taking the sense of the peo- 
ple upon the question whether licenses for the sale 
of intoxicating liquors fhall be sold in the several 
towns. In case a majority in any town shall be found 
voting against granting any such license, then none 
shall be granted by the board of excise, until a major-;- 
ity of the persons voting in such town, shall haye vo- 
ted to grant licenses therein. 

The day fixed for taking the vote upon this subject 
having been, through inadvertence, the same as that 
on which delegates are to be chosen to the conven- 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 147 

Census of 1845. Slaiislics of Census. 

tion to amend the constitution, the friends of the new 
license law being anxious to disconnect that question 
from all others of a partisi^i character, procured the 
passage of a law, m the early part of the legislative 
session of 1846, altering the day for the first meeting 
of the electors to vote upon' the license question, from 
that fixed by the law of 1845, to the third Tuesday of 
May, 1846. 

The census was again taken under the authority 
of this State, in the summer of 1845. The subjects 
upon w^hich the marshals were required to o"btain in- 
formation were materially increased, with a view of 
rendering the results of their labors more satisfactory 
^^nd valuable. The returns for this County show a 
population of 47,548; being a diminution since 1840 
to the number of 993. It is apparent from this, that 
-the returns in 1840 were much nearer the truth than 
was at first supposed. The causes of this decrease in 
the population, wnich were alluded to when speaking 
of the last enumeration, have continued to operate in 
the same manner, and to a greater extent, until it is 
> evident from returns, quite as I'ktly to be correct as 
those taken in 1840, that the population has actually 
fallen off. 

By the returns in 1845, the number of persons sub- 
ject to military duty was found to be 3709; of voters 
10,159; persons of color 118; the number of children 
attending schools of every kind 12,93G. The amount 



148 or CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY* 

Statistics of |Census of 184.>. . 

of produce of domestic industry is large, and in view 
of the independence of the people is highly flattering 
to their industry and skill. Tfte Dunrrbe? of yards of 
cloth of all descriptions manufactured during the year 
preceding the first day of July, not including that made 
in factories, was 268,905; the numher of acres of 
improved land, was 252,783; there.were 686,768 bush- - 
els of potatoes; 269,169 bushels of wheat; 448,833 • 
bushels of oats; 453,320 bushels of corn raised in the > 
year 1844, besides the vaijaty of other grains and field; 
crops, in the growth of which nearly every farmer 
participated to a greater or less extent. The whole 
number of neat cat'Ie were reported at 66,885; of 
these, 25,024 were milch cows, from which 2,739,396 
pounds of butter, and 1,073,274 pounds of cheese 
were made. The number of sheep was 235,323, from 
which were taken 485,812' pounds of wool. There 
were 43 grist mills, consuming ^288,556 in value of 
raw materials, and producing S3 15,689 of manufac- 
tured articles; 216 saw mills, consuming ?9i,625 in 
raw^ materials, and producing §161,863 in manufac- 
tured articles; 49 tanneries, using §45,563 in raw 
materials, and producing ^89,155 in manufactured ar- 
ticles. There were 72 churches; 308 common schools; 
88 taverns; 135 stores; 6122 farmers; 147 merchants; 
198 manufacturers; 1542 mechanics; 61 lawyers;. 
lOG clergymen; aad, 90 physicians. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 143 

Election in 1845. ~ Appoinlments. ~ 

At the election in 1845, Madison Burnell, Elisha 
Ward, and Valorus Lake, tho candidates of the Whig 
party, were elected to the Assembly, The Demo- 
' cratic party presented no candidates. The only oppo- 
sition the Whigs encountered was from the Liberty 
party, who had in nomination for the Assembly, 
Theron Plumb, James Pettit, and Hiram Putnam, and 
. polled about 630 votes in the County, 

Thomas B. Campbell was appointed First Judge, in 
the place of Thomas A. Osborne, resigned; and Niram 
Sackett, Judge, in the place of Elisha Ward, whose 
term had expired, 

Franklin H. Waite, was' also appointed Judge, in 
February, 1846, in place of Francis H. Ruggles, 
^ whose term had expired. 



150 OF CHAU TAUQUE COCNTT. 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

VILLAGE PAPERS CHAUTAU^UK GAZKTTF CIIAU- 

TAUi^UK KAGLK FRKDONIA CENSOR JAMKSTOWN 

JOUHNAL CHAUTAUqC.K RKPUBLICA.X REPUBLI- 
CAN BANNER GiWlDSOF LIBERTY — WKSTFIEi:i> 

PAPKRS MAYVILLE SENTINKL WKSTKIlN DKMO- 

CRAT FORKSTVILLE PAPERS CIIAUTAUQUK WHIG= 

BOOK PRINTING. 

The sketches which the preceding pages contain^ 
could hardly be deemed in any sense complete, with- 
out a notice of the newspaper press, with its mutations 
and present condition. Few enterprises are attended 
with more hazard than the es'aolishment of a newspa- 
per; and if ably and faithfully conducted, few of the 
means of disseminating inl"crmation, affect mere sen- 
sibly and beneficially the public mind. As no village 
considers itself fmishsd, and entitled to its proper rank, 
without a press, to ]?rociaim its rising greatness, it 
necessarily results that many ephemcal establish- 
ments spring into existence, which f:carcely survive 
their first year. Of these short-lived productions^ 
Chautauque County seems to have had her full share^ 
The first, nev/s;;aper published in the County, was 
the " Chautauque Gazette," established at Fredonia,. 
in January, 1817, by James PereivaL The means to 
estabhsh it were raised by citizens subscribing from 
five to thirty dollars each, for the purpose, making it 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 151 



Chautanqne (inzeiie. Cliauiaiique Eafile. 



a joint stock concern; a large portion of Vv'hich was 
afterwards relinquished by the subscribGrs, in view of 
the difficulty of sustaining a single paper in the County 
at that early period. 

The paper soon passed into the hands of Carpenter 
&; Hull, and subsequently into those of James Hull, 
exclusively, by whom it was continued until some 
time in 1822, when it was suspended for nearly a year, 
after which he again resumed its publication. It was 
Clintonian in its politics. 

In June, 1826, the " People's Gazette," which had 
been published seme two years at Forestvilie, by 
William S. Snow, was united with Mr. Hull's paper, 
and continued for several mcnths thereafter by Hull 
& Snow, under the title of the " Fredonia Gazette," 
when the establishment was removed to Dunkirk by 
Mr. Hull- It was lyablishe;! at the latter place, how- 
ever, but a few months, when it vv as removed to West- 
field, and united with the '- (,'hautauque Phenix."' 

The " Chautauque Eagle " was commenced at 
Mayville about the first of May, 1819, by Robert J. 
Curtis, and its publication continued about one year. 
It was a paper of the smallest class, but Mr. Curtis 
was not destitute of ability, and his paper was fre- 
quently enriched by poetical effusions from the pen of 
James H. Price, a gifted but unfortunate member of 
the bar, then residing at Mayville. Mr. Curtis has 
since published a paper at Wheeling, in Virginia. 



152 OP CHADTAUqUE COUNTY. 



Fredonia Censor. Jamestown Journal. 



The " Fredonia Censor" was established in March, 
1821, by Henry C. Frisbee. It advocated the princi- 
ples of what was then familiarly known as the " buck- 
tail " party, as contra-distinguished from that of 
Clintonian. In illustration of the difficulty and haz- 
ard of starting a new paper, in a newly settled coun- 
try, it may be stated, that the Censor was commenced 
with about forty subscribers, and for the first three 
weeks it had not a single paying advertisement. It 
was ably and successfully conducted for seventeen 
years by its founder. It was then disposed of to E. 
Winchester, who conducted it for two years, and then 
sold it to R. Cunnington. It continued in the hands 
of the latter for about one year, and then passed into 
those of W. McKinstry, by v/hom, and by W. Mc- 
Kinstry 6c Co., it has since been, and is at present, 
conducted. It was opposed to the political organiza- 
tion of the Anti-Masons; but subsequently upon the 
formation of the Whig party, it became, and still is, 
an efficient advocate of its principles and measures. 

The first newspaper published at Jamestown, was 
the "Jamestown Journal." It was commenced in 
June, 1826, by its present publisher, Adolphus Fletch- 
er. The first year of its existence it was edited by 
Abner Hazeltine, Esq., and a considerable portion of 
the original matter, for several years, was furnished 
by him. For a time it was neutral in politics; but 
the excitement which followed the abduction of Wil- 



itnSTORICAL SKETCHES 168 

Chautauque Republican. Genius of Liberty. 

Ham Morgan, was too strong to allow of neutrality in 
■a public journal, and it espoused the cause of Anti- 
Masonry. Except for the period of about two years, 
when it was published by John W. Fletcher, this 
paper has been under the supervision and manage- 
ment of its original proprietor. Since the Anti-Ma- 
sonic party lost its distinctive character, this paper 
has supported the principles of the Whig party. 

Early in 1828, the " Chautauque Republican " was 
commenced at the same place, by Morgan Bates, now 
of Detroit, It was established for the express pur- 
pose of opposing Anti-Masonry, and promoting the 
election of Gen. Jackson. After being published 
about a year and a half by Mr. Bates, it passed into 
the hands of Richard K. Kellogg, who retained it 
about a year. 

Lewis C. Todd, a Universalist clergyman, at that 
time engaged in publishing the '^Genius of Liberty," 
a paper devoted to the support of the religious views 
of the Universalists, then became its proprietor; but 
he was very soon succeeded by Charles McLean. 
Mr. McLean soon after associated with himself the 
original proprietor of the paper, Mr. Bates. To these 
succeeded Alfred Smith & William H. Cutler, who 
were in turn succeeded by S. S. C. Hamilton. Mr. H. 
changed the name of the paper, calling it the " Repub- 
lican Banner," and soon after removed the esta-blish- 
ment to M^ville. This was in the fall of 1833, 



154 OF cHAUTAuquE cor.vTr. 

Wesineld Papers. Ma%vil!e beminel- 

The "Genius of Liberty" mentioned above, was 
published at Jamestown, and edited by Lewis C. Todd. 
It was commenced in 1829, and continued about two 
year?. It was printed at the office of the Chautauque 
Republican. 

The newspaper press at Westfield has undergone 
many mutations. The first paper commenced at 
that place, was the "' Western Star," by Harvey 
Newcomb, in June, 1323. It was discontinued for a 
while in lS2ri, and afterwards revived under the title 
of the "Chautauque Phenix," and conducted by Hull 
& Nev.-CDmb. In 1831 it dropped the latter title, and 
assumed that of the " American Eagle." Previously 
to this time Harvey Newcomb had left the concern; 
and about this period Mr. Hull also left it, to be con- 
tinued by G. W. Newcomb. In October, 1S33, the 
latter disposed of the establishment to G, W. Bliss, 
who changed its title to that of the " Westfield Couri- 
er." This was not long continued. The "Western 
Farmer" was published for a year or two by Bliss & 
Knight, about 1835. The " Westfield Advocate ** 
was commenced in May, 1841, but did not long sur- 
vive the appearance of the " Westfield Messenger," 
establishe J by C. J. J. cV; T. Ing-ersoll, about the first 
of August, 1341. The latter paper is. Whig in its 
politics, and is still conducted by its founder. 

The ''Mayville Sentinel" was established in the 
fall of 1834, by Timothy Kibby. In about a year it 



HIST ORICAL SKETCHES 155 

Wesierii Democrat.^ People s Guz'tte. 



passed into the hands of Burban Brockway, who con- 
tinued his connection with it until 1845, w-hen he be- 
came the proj?rietor of a paper at Oswego. It is at 
present conducted by John F. Phelp?, who was for 
some time connected with the paper previous to its 
relinquishment by Mr. Brockway. It is the only pa- 
per represontincr the interests, and advocating the 
principles cf the Dsmocratic party in this County. 

In the early part of 1833, the publication of the' 
" Western Democrat and Literary Inquirer." was 
commenced at Fredonia. It was published by Wil- 
liam Verrihder, and edited by "an association of gen- 
tlemen." It soon passed into the hnn.Is of Randall, 
Crosby; k. ('o., as proprietors ; and for a portion of 
the time of its publication was edited by Rufus Wil- 
mot Griswold, who has since bec3m?not?d as a book 
compiler. Ho was succeeded as editor by W. H. Cut- 
ler ; and v/hile in his charge, the cstabuEhm.ont was 
purchased by Arba K. Maynard, and removed to Van 
Buren Harbor, where it was contln"ued nnjer the title 
of the "Van Buren Times," by JVIr. Cutler, for a year 
or two, and until it became extinct. 

The "People's Gazette" was commenced in For- 
estville, in August, 1824, by W. S. Snow. After 
two partial suspensions it was finally discontinued, 
and united with the Chautauque Gazette, at Fredonia, 
which thenceforth took the name of the " Fredonia 
Gazette." 



•156 OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 

Western Inte I't^encer. Chauiauque Whig. Book PrifHing. 

The " Western Intelligencer," was published for 
several months at Forestville, in 1833, by W. H. Cut- 
ler, the materials for which were procured at West- 
field. 

The " Chautauque Whig " was established at Dun- 
kirk, in August, 1834, by Thompson & Carpenter, by 

■ whom it was mostly conducted as partners, and by 
turns individually, under that title, and that of the 
"Dunkirk Beacon," until 1845, when it was entirely 
discontinued. It was commenced as a Whig paper, 

• but subsequently came out in favor of Mr. Van Buren 
for President, and aftervvards vrent over again to the 
Whig side. 

Very little has hitherto been done in this County 
in the way of book printing. The first attempt was 

' made in 1824, of a book of some 250 pages, entitled, 

"^'A contrast between Christianity and Calvinism," 
written by Rev. David Brown, and printed by Henry 

'-C Frisbee, at Fredonia, 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 151,^ 



CHAPTER XXXIII.. 

PATRIOT WAR LINUS W. MILLER COUNTY DIVIS"^ 

IONS. 

Is 1837, a popular outbreak occurred in the British 
Provinces of Canada, which affected to a considerable - 
extent the inhabitants residing- along the frontier of . 
the States. It originated in an attempt to overthrow 
tbe constituted authorities of the Canadas, and to 
establish what was intended to be a government 
giving more freedom to the governed, and less power ■ 
tp the governor. The excitement pervaded thi> county 
to a great extent, . Arms and munitions of war were 
contributed by those friendly to the cause, and many 
young and adventurous spirits enlisted in the enter- 
prise. After many ill-judged and ill-directed efforts, 
the power of the British arm was found too strong for 
the badly equipped, and worse disciplined forces of 
those who had taken up arms against the govern- . 
ment, and the rebellion was speedily crushed. . 

Many of tiiose who had been most active in pro- 
moting the outbreak, were condemned and executed 
for treason. Others were tried and condemned, and ; 
their punishment commuted to transportation for 
life, to the penal colonies of the British Crown, . A . 



158 OF CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY. 

Linus "W Miller. County Divisions. 



large number were sent to Va,n Dieman's Land, 
where, after suffering all the haiMiships that privation 
and craelty could inflict, many of them laid down 
their lives ; while others, after lingering out years of 
punishment, were relieved by the British authorities, 
and permitted to return to the United States, Among 
the latter was Linus W. Miller, who resided in 
Stockton in this County. He returned to his home 
and friends in the winter of 1846, after ^i absence of 
nearly eight years. 

As early as 1831, and perhaps earlier, elTorts were 
made to procure divisions of this County. These 
efforts have been repeated, at intervals, until the 
present time. Various plans to effect divisions, favor- 
able to particular section?, and calculated to promote 
the interests of particular locations, have from time 
to tim3 been projected, but hitherto without success. 
In general these efforts have been confined to the 
north-eastern section of the County, while the people 
of the west, north-west, and south, have steadily op- 
posed them. Bills have several times been reported 
in one or the other branch of the L3gislature, de- 
signed to carry out these projects. It is true, a 
respectable portion of the citizens residing in the 
north-eastern section, are to some extent incom- 
moded, on account of their remoteness from the 
County seat, but after all, there caji be but little doubt, 
'.that the "greatest good of the greatest number," will 



HISTORICAL SKETCHFS l59 

Conclusion. 

be best promoted, by permitting tha large, respecta- 
ble, and to many " old settlers," cherished territory 
embraced within its original limits, to be known 
henceforth at home and abroad, as the County of 

^CHAUTAU(iUE. 



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